Is taking care of orphans a command or a calling?

If you believe it's a command, what are YOU doing about it?

Random Pics from the Day

Carson loves my homemade granola. (yes, I sit my twins on the counter...)

Scout took a spill in a mud puddle today.

We start 'em early! Luke actually really does love to vacuum.

Happy 39th Birthday, Babe!

Jimmy was gone during the week, so we didn't get to celebrate on his actual birthday. Then he took the boys skiing on Saturday, so we celebrated when they got back. Notice how he's still in his snow pants an hour after he arrived home.... it takes him a good while to warm up after being outside.

Ten Years!

Today is our Tenth Wedding Anniversary! Yahoooooo! It has gone by sooooo quickly. I'd do it all over a hundred times. My mom reminded me the other day that after we broke up the second time I told her I felt like I had just lost a million dollars. Boy, was that an understatement! Jimmy is worth far more than that. I had no idea just how much of a jewel I was getting when I said "I do" ten years ago.

When I was making the kids their smoothie this morning I found a sweet card in the refridgerator and my present - three YUMMY Oreo cookies dipped in half chocolate, half mint (my favortie combo). They were absolutely deeeeelicious. I told him it was my best present yet. No diamonds for this girl - I'm all about dessert. :) (hey to Andrea, my favorite dessert-maker, who really knows how to make a gal feel loved...)

In June we'll head to Isle Mujeres, Mexico to celebrate while Mimi, Aunt Stephanie, and her three girls take their first trip to Bailey, Colorado to watch our children. But today we celebrated by heading to the Denver Zoo with the kids and then we went out for dinner. It was nice and warm out (well, not to Jimmy :) and we all had a really great time.

Granola Bars

After we moved to Colorado and started hiking, I begun buying Luna granola bars periodically so we could have a snack on our longer hikes. Today I decided to try making our own granola bars since (a) store-bought ones are over a dollar a piece, and (b) they're full of junk - the particular flavor of Luna bars my kids liked had over 20 ingredients!

I made two batches, using different nuts and seeds (almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pepitas, flaxseeds, wheat germ) and in one I added peanut butter. They turned out pretty well, although next time I'll add a little more honey to make them chewier. I used two different pans, and we liked the ones that came out thinner better. We decided to add a layer of chocolate to make them yummier, but they're delicious without it as well. Whole foods are so much tastier than processed junk!

My Countertop

The kids are finally on the mend. Yahoo! PRAISE THE LORD I did not get much more than a slight cough and fatigue (I'm sure from taking care of six patients every day). I gave most of the above to different children, depending on their particular symptoms. Fresh raw garlic, coconut oil, and raw apple cider vinegar were the things I consumed the most of - they all kill viruses and bacteria very well. The second you feel sick, start consuming these things every few hours! On the far left is dried cat nip, which did wonders with helping my children sleep through the night. I made a tea with it and put some raspberry Emergen-C in it. The little white bottle to the left of the gallon of coconut oil is a homeopathic remedy for the flu. It was the first time I tried it, and it really worked! I gave it to Scout and Riley, who were barely moving and had high fevers, and within the hour they were up and moving, asking for food. The only thing is this respite of symptoms didn't last very long, maybe an hour or two.

Even the flies are dropping in our home...

All six of our children have the flu. It started with Carson Thursday morning, then Luke Friday early afternoon, Riley Friday late afternoon, Scout Sunday morning, and then Owen and Eli got it Sunday late afternoon. My kids have never had the flu before - it is not fun! I'm drinking lots of coconut oil and apple cider vinegar hoping to escape it.

Owen probably feels the best out of everybody.