San Jose Revisited

Last Thursday found us back at Mission San Jose.  Our weeks seem to run together with constant activity.  But -- that's okay!  I told my friend Jennifer about our trip to the mission, and she wanted her daughter, Avery, to experience it.  It was a beautiful morning for it, and this time the gristmill was in working order!

"Jonathan making Mommy proud"
He loves rocks, but has learned to just let the rocks fall from his hand instead of hurling them at whatever stationary or moving target he can find.

Wonder what's in there?

Jonathan giving a flower to Miss Jennifer

Checking it all out


Friday we took lunch to Daddy's office and worked the building before returning home for a surprise and a nap.  Jonathan was in my arms as I showed him some of the magnets on the fridge.  The next thing I knew, a small black snake (approx. 7-8 inches) had slithered half way out from under the toaster oven.  I plunked Jonathan down in front of Caillou, ran to the closet for a shoe box, got the little booger contained and hurled him off the back porch.  I don't even want to know how a snake got in the house, much less to the top of my cabinet.  Ahhh - spring in South Texas.

As sweet as our Jonathan is, we got the news after church on Sunday that he'd been pushing one of the little girls in the nursery.  Argh.  Miss Cindy said the pushing seemed to be more a way to show her he "liked" her than a malicious attempt to get a toy.  Who knows.  I'm thankful they told us though.  Today when I picked him up from Bible class I got the same report.  Again - pushing a little girl.  He's definitely all boy.  If anyone has any advice on how to teach our little guy to stop violently "flirting", I'd like to hear it.  I guess that'll be our next challenge.

I finally decided to just forget about all the contingencies surrounding our life and plant some seeds.  I also bought some heirloom tomato plants and flowers.  Hopefully I'll have a nice little container garden within the next few months.  In the spring, I can't help but plant something.  Jonathan is a great little gardener.  He watered nearly all our plants yesterday.

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces,
I would still plant my apple tree."
~Martin Luther

Misson San Jose

Jason took the day off today.  We had some errands to run near downtown San Antonio, so we did something we rarely do these days.  We decided to be spontaneous.  We took Jonathan to Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo.  

The mission trail is one of my favorite things in South Texas.  In fact, I visited the San Antonio Missions for the first time on a 7th grade history club trip.  I was the secretary of the Worley Middle School History Club.  I know -- what a dork.  The moment I took my first step into Mission Concepcion (my favorite mission of the five) was the moment that I fell in love with history -- more specifically -- Texas History.  

San Jose is a beautiful mission complex complete with a HUGE enclosed, grassy courtyard, a beautiful mission church (The stonework on the facade is being restored. We got to watch a mason work on the archway above the main entrance today.) and the oldest gristmill in Texas.  Because of the drought, the mill wasn't in working order today.  Jonathan was able to climb over the ruins of ancient walls, run through Native American barracks, stand in a stone oven, look up a chimney in the corner of a huge stone hall, pet another visitor's dog, look down an old well and climb over the trunks of trees that grow low along the ground.  He had a ball!     

The mission trail features an aqueduct at its end.  A bike/ hiking trail connects the missions.  Unfortunately, the environment around the mission trail is not exactly hospitable to tourists.  However, the city does seem to be trying to revitalize that part of town, so hopefully that won't continue to be the case.  What a fantastic day!  

First Trip to the Zoo

Today was Jonathan's first trip to the zoo.  Our morning was ideal.  Jonathan was still sleeping at 7:45 at which point I'd already had an opportunity to get ready, get all our things together, work on Bible study and do some leisurely reading.  He didn't wake until I entered his room.  We were out the door by 8:20 after sitting to read several of his zoo books.  He seemed to know just where we were going, although I'm not sure which of us was more excited.  We met my friend, Jennifer, and her daughter, Avery, at the front gate.  It was a beautiful day.

This has nothing to do with this post.  Just one of many beautiful sunsets visible from my front porch and living room windows. 

Same sunset -- a few minutes later

Jonathan and his beloved -ish.  We're still working on the "f" sound.

Jonathan and Mommy with the flamingos

We saved over half of the zoo (including the petting zoo) for a time when Daddy can come with us.  He was a little bummed that we were going without him.  We were bummed too.  Jonathan saw monkeys, elephants, rhinos, zebras, flamingos, ducks, wild dogs, leopards and lots of fish.  The San Antonio Zoo has a great area for toddlers to run and play.  We spent much of our time there.  We followed Jennifer and Avery to EZ's pizza in the Quarry to round out our day.  Jonathan was asleep within moments as we made our way home.  What a spectacular day!  

Aunt Lou's Ninetieth

The first weekend after Daddy and Bop and Giggie's departure, Jonathan was well enough to travel with Grammy and me to Georgetown, Texas for my Great-Aunt Lou's ninetieth birthday.  It was a lovely, well-attended event.  Aunt Lou is a great blessing to us all.  She has such a beautiful, gentle spirit and is one of the Godliest ladies I know.

Jonathan hamming it up at the party.  If you look closely in the left side of his mouth, you can see his first molar.  The other three are still making their way in.  It has been a painfully slow process.  

Here's Jonathan with his sweet, long suffering cousins, Ashlyn and Alec.  They were showing Jonathan the dogs.  This was the first day I'd allowed Jonathan into the outdoors since he'd become ill, but he wasn't allowed to rough house with the dogs, so he was appeased with a good look through the front door. 

Aunt Lou (on the left) and Aunt Melba

Jonathan just before giving the bear a big bear hug

Jonathan was still out of sorts, but he had a good day at Aunt Lou's party.  He didn't stop once he hit Danette's door.  Jason has traveled before, but that was before Jonathan was aware enough to know the difference.  Other trips in his recent memory were much shorter.  It was interesting and painful to see his reaction.  He is very attached to his Daddy -- as well he should be.  The first week, Jonathan was sick and couldn't get out.  The second week, Grammy and I were sick and the weather was terrible, so it was bad timing all around.  Jonathan is back to normal though now that Daddy is home and safe.  We are all breathing a sigh of relief and praying that Daddy will have no more long trips in our near future.  

Giggie and Bop

The pictures in this post are a little out of order, but I'm trying to get a lot out at once, so I'll try to help you understand what's going on here.  Giggie and Bop came for a visit just before Valentine's Day.  We always love to see them, and Jonathan is so attached that he talked about them for days after they left.  He started waving at a woman he thought was Giggie (and calling her name) at Costco three days after the real Giggie had already gone home.  

Daddy reading to Jonathan.  Jonathan prefers books to toys.  We have resorted to hiding some of his favorites.  Otherwise, we'd be sitting down reading the same book over all day long.  We had a lovely fire going on the final night of Giggie and Bop's visit.

Giggie and Bop opening their Valentine from Jonathan.

Roses from my Valentine and Jonathan's Valentine from Giggie and Bop

Jonathan at Rudy's.  We live practically next door to the original Rudy's BBQ joint.   Jonathan is pictured here in true Pappa Jack form with the biggest spoonful of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream he could possibly put in his mouth.

Jonathan with his Bop

So, as fun as our visit with Giggie and Bop was, they left on the same day as Daddy (which also happened to be the day before mine and Jason's engagement anniversary and two days prior to Valentine's Day).  It all hit the fan on Monday.  Grammy got snowed in at Amarillo and couldn't travel for a couple of days, Jonathan began cutting three molars and a front tooth, and he managed to catch a virus and sinus infection.  Jonathan's behavior turned on a dime.  The poor little guy didn't know what hit him (and neither did I).  More on this saga to follow.  

Getting Ready

Obviously, I've neglected the blog.  As always, it's busy, busy around the Allen abode and it just keeps getting busier.  Here are some pictures we've taken of Jonathan in the last couple of months.  This has been a big year for him already.  He's seen his Bop and Giggie and his Grammy and survived two weeks away from his Daddy.  Jonathan is talking up a storm, identifying letters and numbers and I just found out today that he can tell you how old he is by holding up one finger.  {Smile}  Here he is in the yard.  This mild winter has allowed us to get outside a lot.  I'm so thankful!  Here are some pictures of Jonathan and one of his very best friends -- Burton.  Jason and I are so thankful that all the neighbors own dogs.  We don't have to get one!  The final picture in this grouping is of Jonathan and Daddy getting the yard ready for Giggie and Bop's visit.    

The Great Poopin'-palooza of 2012

For those of you who have exhibitionist children who also happen to be cutting molars, you may have had your very own Poopin'-palooza.  You know all about the teething-related, explosive diarrhea and the great toddler need to feel the wind on his cheeks.  Imagine for a moment lying blissfully in bed -- later than usual.  Your child is entertained by something in his/her crib.  By what?  You care not.  Your only consideration?  A few extra moments of catch up on 19 months of lost sleep -- just a second or two of peace before you start the day.  You've not yet realized what can happen within the space of a few seconds.  

Now imagine the horror.  The disgust.  The overwhelming urge to hurl... when you realize your child's source of entertainment is his own feces.  It's an ill wind (quite literally) that blows no good.  

Cut to me carrying my poop-covered man child straight to the bathtub with only my fingertips.  My sweet cherub had it all over his face, in his hair and between his fingers and toes... tossed into the floor and smeared all over his crib.  He must really have had it in for the sleep sheep.  The poor little lamb had his head completely covered in bm.  By 9 pm, the final bit of clean up was under way.  

So -- for those of you who are blissfully married without children, or are carrying around a tender wee babe that you could never imagine would do such a thing, BE WARNED.  NEVER, EVER, EVER lay blissfully in bed when you know your children are awake until your youngest child turns 25.   You will create more work for yourself than you ever dreamed you could.

Hard to imagine this little thing covered in "stuff"

Thanks for the cool clothes Kirbie!

By the way -- this WILL NOT be an annual event.  

Ways to Save Money in 2012

We are always looking for ways to save money, because we are always checking out real estate in the D.C. area.  Jason and I moved to Fairfax, VA (the outskirts of Washington D.C.) shortly after we married and were SHOCKED at how much we paid per month in rent and utilities.  We loved and hated that place.  It taught us how to budget very early in our marriage and how important it is for a married couple to be all on board when it comes to finances and budgeting.  We know all roads lead back to D.C. in Jason's current profession, and when we get back, we want to be able to buy a house, land and canoe (giggle) outright somewhere near the Shenandoah River and Shenandoah National Park.   

So -- here are some things we do to save our pennies and put as much into savings, retirement and college fund as possible.

1 -- Ditch Cable and the Smart Phone.  

I have never owned a smart phone, so I don't know what I'm missing.  I don't want to be that accessible anyway.  Of course, that's a personal thing.  Some folks must be connected for work, or just for sanity's sake.  I don't happen to be one of those folks.  Please -- don't feel judged.  I didn't have cable until we lived in NC a few years ago, and we didn't watch enough TV to justify having it.  You could save yourself a good $2000 a year this way... maybe more! 

2 -- Buy Used

Cars, clothes, baby stuff, furniture -- you name it -- you can get it used.  It's really not hard these days.  I'm not a huge yard sale shopper (although I'm thinking I might become one), but there are thrift and consignment stores everywhere and you can find stuff with tags still attached at over 1/3rd the cost of something brand new.  We haven't bought a brand new car in over a decade.  In fact, one year we survived with only one vehicle.  You wouldn't believe what we saved on taxes, upkeep and insurance.  All of the vehicles we've bought since we've married were located on Craig's List and bought with cash.

3 -- Take the Sunday Paper

This is a tip I got from my thrifty Sister-in-Law in MS.  I make sure I get at least $2 off in coupons on things we would normally buy at the grocery store to justify the $1 a week we spend on the paper.  I average about $12 a week savings, just by clipping coupons from the Sunday paper.  That's almost $50 a month... minus $4.  I try to go through my coupons before each trip to the grocery store and put a "C" next to items that I have coupons for on my list.  I also try to stick to my list.

4 -- Cut Your Husband's and Your Childrens' Hair  

I started cutting Jason's hair the month after we got married.  It took some practice, but I do a better job now than any professional since about six months in because I'm well-acquainted with his head and the way his hair grows.  Of course this takes a lot of trust at the outset.  I'm sure if he had the same professional cut it for a few months, I wouldn't be able to make that claim anymore, but Jason is so thrilled with the money we save, he's happy to let me do it.  I have cut my own hair in the past, but the savings we accrue this way allows me to get a good professional cut every few months with no guilt.  

5 -- Nurse if You Possibly Can

I know this is not always possible or desired for every woman.  Again - don't feel judged.  I had a VERY difficult time with this... and it never really happened for us without some outside help.  I won't go into all the hairy details, but we had to buy bottles, shields and an expensive pump, and we still probably saved upwards to $2000.  Jonathan received my milk exclusively for one year.  Who knows how much we've saved in doctors' bills.  The added benefit... I was wearing pants I haven't been able to fit into since year two of our marriage by the time Jonathan was 10 months old... and eating like a horse at the same time.  Awesome!

6 -- Consider Cloth Diapering

It's easier than you think.  Just buy a garbage can with a lid, some decent diaper covers (I use Thirsties duo wraps.), some cheap Gerber trifolds from Wal Mart, and you're set.  I buy biodegradable, flushable liners for the messy diapers (100 for approx. $6).  I don't use the liners in every diaper unless Jonathan is teething.  Depending on your washing machine, the liners can be washed and air dried several times before they start to break down.  Of course, you wouldn't do this if you had a messy diaper.  I recently realized, with the help of a good friend, that flushable wipes are great for cloth diapering when you've got a really messy diaper on your hands.

I received a 20 pack of cloth trifolds at a shower that I used as burp cloths until we got through all of the disposables we were given at showers.  I started using those on Jonathan when he was about 8 or 9 months old.  It literally took us that long to get through all of the disposables that were given to us.  We were overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and family.  It can be difficult with a baby boy that's a heavy wetter.  Boys just wet more in general.  We have to use a disposable at night.  I have no idea how much we've saved going this route, but it's easier than you might think.   It helps to have your diapers set up at the beginning of the day in your changing area.  I start the day with a stack of about 7-8 trifolds layered with linders and a few covers handy. The diaper covers can be wiped out and reused throughout the day until they get wet or dirty.  Wish I'd read something like this before I started on my cloth diapering adventure.  I've learned a lot the hard way.

7 -- Use Cloth Wipes

This is another easy, easy thing to do and it actually seems to really cut down on diaper rash and diaper pail stench.   They're also much softer on baby's bottom.  Jonathan received a gazillion baby washcloths and a wipes warmer at showers.  We have about eight that we actually use for the bath.  The rest I soak about once a week in a solution of water, baby oil, baby soap and aloe vera gel.  I roll them up and place them in a wipes warmer.  (I fill a quart sized container to within about one inch of the top with warm water and use one Tbs. each of the other ingredients.)  I can use one to two of these on a really dirty bottom as opposed to 4-5 disposable wipes.  They go in the diaper pail with the dirty diapers and actually help the smell until it's time to wash.  I wash diapers every second to third day depending on how many dirties are in the pail.

8 -- Use Cloth Napkins

Do you know how many cloth napkins I had laying around, still in plastic, from our wedding shower?  Sixteen.  For seven years only eight were ever used.  Now they're used almost weekly.  I keep paper towels in the pantry now.  Because they're not as accessible, we reach for a dish cloth, towel or a cloth napkin most of the time.  I don't change out that paper towel roll nearly as often anymore. I've bought material here and there from remnant bins at stores like Wal Mart (Our Wal Mart still has a sewing/ cloth section.) and Hobby Lobby to make more.  

9 -- Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Recipe:  1 bar of Zote, 1.5 Cups Borax and 1.5 Cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

Some use Fels Naptha instead.  I like the smell of the Fels better (if you decide to use Fels, the recipe is a bit different), but with tendonitis in both arms, Zote is much easier to grate and makes more at one time.   I mix the grated Zote and the powders in a large bowl and run it through my little food processor two cups at a time.  It takes a total of about 20 minutes.  It's easy and I only make it every couple of months.  It saves about 7-9 cents per load depending on what kind of laundry detergent you usually buy.  If you do a lot of laundry like we do, it really helps.   

10 -- Eat at Home

That's self explanatory.  I'm not a great cook, but I've learned a thing or two here and there.  I bought a whole chicken the other day for just over $3.  I love the HEB Combo Loco!  I can roast that in a crock pot and then get about six-seven cups of chicken stock out of it.  After I've removed the meat, I throw all the chicken "junk" back into the crock pot along with water and some veggies and spices and let it go all day.  The chicken is either immediately used in a big pot of soup for the freezer or is cooled and stored with the vacuum sealer in smaller portions for recipes.   I let the stock cool for a couple of hours, strain it several times and put it in a big bowl in the fridge.  A few hours later, I skim all the fat off the top, strain it once more and put it in two cup containers in the freezer.  Done.  Recipes made with homemade chicken stock are out of this world!  Again -- much easier than you might think.  I also grind all our flour and make all our bread.  I don't think I've been doing that long enough to see the savings quite yet, but I do believe it has had a positive effect on our health.  I've recently found a grain co-op in our area, so we should be getting our grain at a significant savings from here on out.  Jason and I limit dining out as much as we can.

11 -- Go Natural
A few months back I read that gray highlights were becoming vogue.  I started letting my fake blonde grow off and letting my age show.  Well - I haven't noticed that I'm starting a trend or anything, and my hair is still two-tone, but I haven't paid to have my hair dyed in over a year.  The jury is still out on whether or not I'll be able to keep this up.  I have a lot more snow on the mountain than I anticipated.  I don't want people to mistake me for Jonathan's grandmother.  

I'm sure there are scads of other ways to save your money.  I love to garden, but we're not in the position to do that right now, and may not be for some time.  I grow herbs on my porch and on my sunny window sill for recipes and will probably grow tomatoes and peppers in pots on my porch this summer.  I miss our little garden in NC.  Oh well.  Someday I'll get my sister-in-law to teach me how to can, but that may have to wait until we have our place out on the Shenandoah.  Maybe then I'll be able to have a clothes line as well.  The real benefit to all this -- marital bliss and zero debt.  No kidding!  

Here's the big guy -- resplendent in his thrift store Sunday best.

(The spot on the front is drool. ;o))

Disappointing Myself

No one could be harder on me than I am on myself.  It's a new year and I've already disappointed myself on many occasions.  Jonathan is starting into the terrible twos early, and I'm not really feeling up to that.  I'm not the mommy I want to be.  I'm not handling this well and it's only January 6th.  I read about resolutions and plans, and all I can muster is, "I'm tired -- more tired and sore than I think I've ever been."  When I get an opportunity, I just want to sit and mindlessly watch a movie or read something that doesn't require any deep thought or soul searching on my part.  I get annoyed that I can't physically, spiritually or mentally be all things to all people.  I consistently feel as if I've failed someone or some cause.  I want to fix everything for all the people in my life, and I haven't been given that power.  

Of the memory verses that hang on my bathroom mirror, one is a verse that has always been very familiar to me, but I've never completely immersed myself in its meaning. 

Romans 12:1 says 

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship."  

I don't know why, but I've always equated this verse with eating right and exercising.  It's never been presented to me that way, but that's how I've interpreted it.  I can't blame anyone for misguiding me.  It occurred to me, just two days ago, as I closed my eyes and rehearsed it in my head, just how weighty those words are.  I had asked the Holy Spirit to interpret for me the depth of the words, but I wasn't prepared for what was revealed.

If you know me, you know how much I love words -- how much I love a good story.   When I watch a movie (mostly at home these days), I like to watch with the captions turned on.  I don't want to miss a shred of meaning.  I will watch and re-watch a movie - read and re-read a book, until I feel I completely understand the meaning the author/ producer wanted to convey.  I'm that way with people too.  I like to understand them -- really feel them.  At times, I feel strongly, if I could truly understand each verse of the Bible, I could truly know God.  Of course, that's not possible for any human, but maybe it's a good goal to have anyway.

Bear with me.  My interpretation may be way off the mark, but this is what Romans 12:1 suddenly means to me.  If I believe God, I must bear fruit.  I don't get to decide the variety of fruit or how it will be borne out in me.  I am the "living sacrifice."   I don't get to choose how or when or where I become the sacrifice.  The sacrifice takes the blade at whatever altar its Owner desires.   If I say I believe, I must be ready and willing to trust Him.  He is merciful.  He will use me where and when and how He will -- not where and when and how I think I should be used.  I just manage to get in the way when I insert my own plans.  My pride so easily overshadows His work when I choose to operate this way.

So now -- back to that first paragraph.  This revelation is very freeing for me.  "In view of God's mercy" I have not been given the power to be all things to all people.  What amazing grace!  I just have to be open to what He wills as I walk the path He's laid out for me.  That takes a lot of pressure off me.  The Plan is not in my pitiful hands.  Only He knows the future.  

So I start the new year with no plans -- nothing to add pressure to my life -- no preconceived notions of what this year should bring.  

I simply and sincerely proclaim:

"The Eternal God is [my] Refuge, and underneath are the Everlasting Arms."

~ Deuteronomy 33:27

Happy New Year !

  

Christmas 2011

I was standing here chomping on a piece of homemade bread (sans the convenient handle at the top)  when a set of beloved grandparents in Mississippi came to mind.  Giggie and Bop - this one's for you.  

Beginning at the end -

Here's how Jonathan let me know that it was time for the tree to come down.  

Since we were leaving the next day for Ft. Worth to visit family, I was slightly less than amused, but so thankful that he wasn't hurt, I couldn't get even remotely angry.  Unfortunately, this little accident had some natural consequences of its own.  Jonathan was whisked into his high chair until I could figure out how to safely let him down again.  That took quite a while, and for a very active toddler, it was punishment enough I think.  

Papa Jack and Grammy came down from Amarillo to spend Christmas with us.  That was the best Christmas gift they could have given us.  We are always traveling on the holidays, so the opportunity to spend Christmas in our own home was a tremendous blessing.  

 sitting in the favorite basket-reading

 With Grammy & Papa Jack at Bass Pro

 Santa's Wonderland Carousel with Papa Jack

 Partners in crime

 Santa's Elves

On Christmas Eve, we attended a service at our church.  Naturally, I forgot the hanky, but we found a box of Kleenex on a kneeling bench nearby.  I needed it.  It was a beautiful, powerful service.  We returned home, grilled steaks and managed to make complete pigs of ourselves.  Jonathan is generally in bed between 7 & 7:30, so Papa Jack and Jason got busy assembling Jonathan's work bench.  We stayed up late making cinnamon rolls for the guards pulling duty on Christmas Eve.  I tried this recipe first, but, as good as it sounded, it didn't quite work with my home-milled flour.  I threw a lot of dough, butter and cinnamon in the trash -- so much in fact we didn't have enough supplies to make the cookies I'd planned.  I used a combination of these recipes for the rolls - Breadbecker's Basic Dough & Southern Living's Cinnamon Pecan Rolls  YUM!  On Christmas morning we baked more rolls for neighbors and for guards assigned to Christmas Day.  We were so stuffed with cinnamon rolls that we didn't start our birthday cake tradition.  Maybe next year.  

 Opening a gift

 Daddy's marshmallow shooter - the annual gag gift

 A rare moment - Jonathan still and silent

The workbench

 A Christmas nap

 Climbing 

Over the last few weeks, Jonathan has begun climbing - on everything.  I've found him standing on the arm of the couch, the back of the couch and the end table.  We have a little deterrent, but we're still not quite using it consistently enough.  It seems that the terrible twos have started at 18 months.  Yikes.  

 Darling little pink cheeks

So, we're back 'round to the ending again.  We made a quick trip to Ft. Worth to visit my grandmother and brothers.  Here's Jonathan dropping leaves into the fountain in my grandmother's back yard.  To our relief, we found the yard in a complete mess.  If you knew my grandmother, you'd understand our relief.  She is 88 and recently had hip surgery.  She doesn't let much stop her.  Thankfully, she hasn't been out raking and burning leaves lately.  We drove in Friday afternoon and spent most of the day Saturday raking leaves, mulching leaves, bagging leaves, mowing and digging dandelions out of her beds.  

Saturday night, Granny cooked up a roast, her famous mashed potatoes, corn, salad and rolls. Aunt Donna, Josh, Cyndi and precious Nora came for a nice, long visit.  Oh - what a sweet, sweet baby!   

Jonathan and Daddy on Granny's tractor

It was a beautiful, busy, enchanted Christmas.  Jonathan was so much fun to watch.  Here's a little taste of our Christmas morning.  I never want to forget or take for granted each phase in Jonathan's life.  He's growing up too fast!