Free indeed!

I've been a little hush-hush (in the blogging world anyway) about my health journey. But today is my unveiling! Today I finished a 60 day on-line, Bible Study, weight-loss course, called Setting Captives Free. They have several courses relating to freedom from eating, pornography, drugs and alcohol, sexual sin, etc. Here's the testimony I shared on my last lesson:

"I had been on a diet for the better part of 6 years. Most recently, I was on a 1400 calorie diet, burning 400 calories/day through exercise, and could not lose weight. If I did lose weight, I would just yo-yo between a 10 pound range (gaining and losing for over 3 years). I would do well on my diet for a short time, just looking forward to my "cheat day." On my cheat day, I would eat whatever I wanted for the whole day long. One cheat day was never enough. One day, I become so frustrated with this cycle and the lack of results that I told the Lord I was finished. I knew that if I would give it to Him, it would be fine. Why didn't I realize this years ago?! Not much later, I found Setting Captives Free. It was an answer to prayer. I realized that everytime I went to food when bored, excited, worried, frustrated, socializing, etc, rather than to God, I was putting food before God. I was letting food be my god and I was practicing idolatry. Even on a diet, food was my god because I was always thinking about it, seeking salvation through a diet. No wonder I couldn't lose weight. God had left me to my own devices. I see now, that my lack of weight-loss before, was God's grace to lead me to Setting Captives Free. I have found FREEDOM! I am free at last! Food does not guide my life anymore! I don't have to buy diet food or look for diet meals at a restaurant, and there's no need for a cheat day. I just enjoy what God has given me (and yes, usually it's not a salad). I have lost 23 pounds! But mostly, I have found a deeper, closer walk with God! I will never diet again! I don't need a cheat day anymore! I have found satisfaction in Him (and lost the weight to confirm it's effectiveness!)!"

So, I am currently the lightest I have ever been in my adult life. At my heaviest, I weighed 250 pounds. While pregnant with Rebekah (7 years ago), I had gestational diabetes. Never wanting to deal with that again (and vomiting several times a day due to pregnancy hormones), I lost some weight. For the last 4 years, I was stuck between 210 and 220. When I stared Setting Captives Free, I weighed 222 pounds. Today, I weigh 199 pounds. I wish I had before and after pictures, but I don't. I'm sure if I really wanted, I could conjure some up. I want all the glory to go to God though. For the first time in my life, I'm not worried about it. Now all I need the scale for is a barometer of my obedience to God, to keep me accountable to if God is my God, or if food is my god. I have never enjoyed my relationship with God more than I do now!

Next step, I've signed up for the Mentor Course to become a mentor for Setting Captives Free. Click here if interested in the program for yourself. There's an option to add a friend to be your accountability partner. If you'd like, you can add my address (mombeem@yahoo.com).

Movie Review:: Judy Moody and the Not-so-bummer-summer.

WHY is it raining in the middle of July?! Apparently, the rest of the nation is taking all of the energies of the sun and it doesn't have the energy to shine here (not bitter, just annoyed). I HAD to get the kids out of the house for little to no money. Since The Science Factory isn't open until 12:30 this week, we chose the buck-fifty theater. Except on Mondays (the day we went), tickets are only 75 cents!!!!

Judy Moody is such a fun movie! Judy Moody has the fashion sense inspired by Rebekah (I'm sure), and an attitude inspired by a 9 year-old that wants to be more mature. It's the kind of movie that reminds you what it's like to be a kid, teaches you to take time to have fun with your kids, and what's important in life. I totally want to make a family thrill chart (much like Judy's in the movie).

There's friendship, forgiveness, family, and FUN! It's clean (aside from using "crap" a couple of times--which I'm guilty of nearly every day). There are some parts that some kids might find scary: A Big-foot sighting in the middle of the night that scares the characters, and a spoof horror movie that Judy and her friend go to in an attempt to earn Thrill Points. My girls didn't mind these scenes at all and they are usually kinda chickens. I was always amazed how REAL Judy Moody seemed. And it's always nice to see kids learn a lesson the full-circle sort of way.

Although the lack of sun in Oregon might try to ruin our summer, we will choose to have a not-so-bummer-summer! Thanks, Judy Moody, for the inspiration!

A Funeral Fit For a Fish

Cutie Patootie, of the Beem home, was a good fish. He was the object of several art projects and the subject of Rebekah's first 2-point expository paragraph. He is survived by his first owners Rebekah, Maddy, and Isabelle. Cutie was a successor of the late-great Red Rover. Although he made several nests in hopes of a family, a mate never came, baby fishies never ensued. Cutie Patootie, you will be missed. Your tricks brought joy to our family as did your fishy kissy faces.

Shhh....we accidentally did home-school today.

Thanks to rainy-day Oregon, the girls were forced to get creative in their play time. They got their counting money jar out and started sorting, counting, and (dare-I-say?) learning.

• Isabelle started counting coins as she put them in the counter. She counted to 38! Last I knew, she could only count to 12 (which I was impressed with)
• Madeline counted her nickles by 5's and her dimes by 10's!
• Rebekah multiplied by 4's to figure out how many dollars she had in quarters.

And this brings me to the first ever Bringing Up the Princess give-away! As many of you know, I

have quite the little Mary Kay inventory. And what does every woman need, but a miniature brush set?! Who ever guesses how much money we have in our money counter, will get an eye brush set (4 brushes and a pretty carrying case)! Let the guessing begin!

Money saved equals pedicures gained?

Today I was given the opportunity to share my love for homemade cleaning and beauty supplies at church with some really fun ladies. My husband laughed when I said that I was going to teach a homemaking class because, as my close friends know, cleaning/organizing are not my strong-suit. They're barely on my list. I am good, however, at being a super cheap tightwad.

This class was a ton of fun! It fills me to the brim to be around groups of ladies (particularly being the center of attention for a while *wink wink*). As you know, I have been loving making laundry soap, dishwasher detergent, and all purpose cleaner. Today, I used the teaching opportunity to try some new recipes out that I have been putting off. It energized my passion for this stuff!

We made homemade deodorant, toothpaste, bug spray, shampoo, all purpose cleaner, laundry

soap. I loved the toothpaste (even came home to use it with my toothbrush, as opposed to my finger in class)! I keep running my tongue over my teeth to feel how smooth they are! It's sorta like I just went to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned. The deodorant is a little goopier than I anticipated, but I'm sure I can add more baking soda and cornstarch. As for now, I'm storing it in my fridge. The verdict is still out on the all purpose cleaner. It did remove a pen mark off the table during the class, though.

And I even learned new things!

• You can use old soap stubs to add to the laundry detergent and save on FelsNaptha.
• For yummy smelling laundry (something I've missed with the homemade detergent and the recent allergic reaction to fabric softening sheets): put a few drops of essential oil on a wash cloth or paper towel and throw it in the dryer (too much can be dangerous though).
• For static cling: add a ball of aluminum foil to the dryer! Reuse over and over and over!
• Store homemade deodorant and toothpaste in baby food jars.
• Don't confuse the deodorant with the toothpaste. The deodorant may be edible but it kinda tastes like vaseline!
• Citric acid is optional in the dishwasher detergent (in fact I heard it counteracts the washing soda, not sure how true that is). I'm still toying with that recipe to find what I like.

I'm excited to do this again! Next time, imagine the things I will learn as the student!

Enjoy your homemade cleaning/body care supplies making! Feel free to add any links or recipes that you have, and if you've used em or not! Oh that would be fun to read! Who knows, if you save enough money (which you will), you can use that extra moolah for a pedicure!

Cupcakes and Proverbs

When Chuck told me that he was assigned dessert to take to a work pot-luck, I knew this would be prime time to show off his wife's cupcake skills! His wife makes YUMMY cupcakes. Plus, he bought her a cake decorating kit for her birthday, so it's a win-win situation. (okay, I'll stop talking about myself in the third person).

All the time I was making cupcakes (mini ones and regular sized ones), I couldn't help but think that everyone will love these cupcakes so much and "her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land (Proverbs 31:23)." I even made little Symantec symbols on all of them.

Now that I'm done patting my own back...

I'm sure they'll get eaten, but I like to dream of higher things for my cupcakes. My cupcakes are a ministry to my husband! So silly I'm sure, but I'm sticking to it.

Movie Review :: Hoodwinked Too: Hood vs. Evil

In true Oregon style, it rained on our campfire/bike riding plans today. Because the girls got all smiley faces at bedtime (AGAIN!) this week, we treated the family to the cheap theater and some (not-so-cheap) popcorn. We didn't let it rain on OUR parade!

I had already checked the movie reviews , and knew that although rated PG, Hoodwinked Too was more appropriate for my girls than the G-rated Rio.

Hoodwinked Too is full of some big voices like Glenn Close, Joan Cusack, Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, Andy Dick, Brad Garrett, and Martin Short. But its the content I was most impressed with.

This is a movie all about hope! When it seems there's no way out, no way for good to overcome evil; that is when victory is the sweetest. Most impressively, it displayed forgiveness, redemption, justice, teamwork, and admitting when you're wrong. I can use the theme of this movie to teach my kids! When's the last time you could say THAT about a movie?!

It did have a lot of potty humor (which the 12 year-old boy in me totally enjoyed), and some innuendo. If I'm not mistaken though, none of that innuendo was sexual. There is a part where Twitch the squirrel comes out of his trailer with a couple of hot-babe-squirrel-girls, however (not a plus). Rather than using curse words or almost-curse-words, the movie resorts to "muffins." This is something I'm fine with my kids doing, so I wasn't disappointed by it. The reviews on line don't really agree with me on this movie, but as we all know...

I'm right, they're wrong!

Frugal and Homemade :: Dishwasher Detergent

I promised some posts about my homemade cleaning supplies. And I'm ready to deliver on one!

This is the easiest homemade thing I tried yet (besides diluted tea tree oil for sanitizer/cleaner)! And it worked marvelously!

1 tsp. Borax

1 tsp. Washing Soda

1 tsp. white vinegar

I mixed equal parts Borax and Washing Soda into a sealable container. Eyeballed a tablespoon-ish into the dishwasher and added a lid-full of vinegar (fun to watch the fizzle).

I was very pleased to find clean and sparkley dishes! A friend of mine read that if you add citric acid to the rinse aid compartment, it acts a rinse aid. I'm too lazy or cheap (or a combo of both) to go to that extra mile, but I don't honestly see the need for it!

Happy dish-washing blogging friends!

Making Memories with My Mom

The girls and I trekked out of the house for a few days. There was a 2-fold purpose for this visit. 1. Visit my mom. 2. Give Chuck a quiet house to focus on his end-of-quarter dealings.

This was Hamilton's first trip out and about.

We went camping for the day with our cousins and their friends. We spent the night at their house.

Grandma took us out for lunch. Then introduced us to a Chinese Buffet for dinner (the girls had never been--am I really sheltering them that much?!). We watched the sunset on the beach.

We grocery shopped and had picnic lunches near the beach.

We spent HOURS on the beach. Burrying each other, making mermaids, building castles, chasing waves, planting a sea weed garden in the sand.

Grandma bought us a kite.

Then let it go...oops! It flew all night long, tangled in the tree branches. I'm thinking it's a good character for a children's book...

Grandma made us dinner, sharing her home canned tuna in a yummy tuna noodle casserole. Then we read a few more chapters of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder (we've already read Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie).

The kissy monsters attacked grandma in bed the next morning.

We went on a guided tour of the tide pools (so amazing). I don't have any pictures though because I left my camera's battery charger at home and the previous fun used up all of our battery life. We played at the beach again (mom and I chose to close our eyes and lay on perfectly contoured rocks for our play time).

After dinner, the girls and I trekked the 2 1/2 hours home. Maddy and Izzy slept while Bekah and I listened to Roald Dahl books on CD, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantatic Mr. Fox, James and the Giant Peach, The Enormous Crocodile, and The Magic Finger.

It's good to have some Daddy time again. Thanks for some GREAT memories, mom!

Drapery Drama

Our curtains have been through a lot today. And we've only been home a few hours today!

So, I like to let the children write on the sliding glass door with dry-erase markers. It scares most people, but if you know me, I naturally don't see any problem with it. There are boundaries: don't draw on the walls/floor. Apparently, Isabelle needed to have it clarified that we don't draw on the curtains. She drew pretty little puppies all over the white curtains (the ones that belong to the apartment, not me).

After 30 minutes of stain removal scrubbing, with Isabelle repeatedly telling me how sorry she is, I filled the bathtub with some bleach water. It was a desperate moment, I dislike bleach, which is why I like homemade cleaners. Left it to soak while we galavanted along the Pacific Coast. Upon our arrival, I drained the grayish tub water, rinsed the curtains, and tossed them in the dryer.

As dark fell, I began to miss my curtains. Began to hope no one was spying on me. Hoping no one would walk by and notice my large pile of Mt. Laundry. Or my unvacumed floor. Or cop a peek at my Netflix rental. So I checked to see if my battle scarred curtains were dry.

Yay, they're dry!

But they're stuck :(

Don't worry, my strong and handsome, hero of a husband, saved the day! He managed to get them unsnarled and then hung them up! Ummmm, they were really dirty, but they're clean now!

Bekah's two-point expository paragraph

Bekah wrote her first paragraph today! There are some form issues to take care of, but this is a fabulous start!

"I have two favorite animals. These animals are brown and blue. My first animal is a guinea pig because he is soft and kutly. My second favorite animal is a fish. He is my favorite because he does tricks. I like my two favorite animals because they are fun!"

Please take note of the drawings at the bottom. Super cute! Super proud mama!

We use Shurley Grammar and it makes grammar so easy! I wish I would have had Shurley Grammar as a kid! I would not have had to wait until after my Master's Degree to know about prepositional phrases.

Memorial Day 2011

First off, we got to sleep in until 10 am (thank you Phineas and Ferb for entertaining the girls for that long)! Then we got all dressed and went go flag hunting. After explaining the significance of this holiday, we decided to take a drive to see how many flags we could count. Initially, we were disappointed in the lack of holiday spirit shown in our town. Only 40 flags. That is, until we found a Memorial Day memorial to fallen soldiers in Oregon. Touching. I got teary eyed standing there, remembering why my husband REALLY had the day off. It brought it close to home to see a picture of a friend of Chuck's from his hometown. I was proud to tell the girls that they come from a long legacy of soldiers (uncles, cousins, grandparents). Final Flag count: 170!!!

We spent HOURS exploring a park in town. I've been to this park before, but this time was especially fun because the girls got to explore and I got to see the park through their eyes.

Geese, ducks, osprey.

Art.

Science (Rebekah was worried about all the litter,

so she headed a clean-up initiative amongst the family). The park has a scale model of the solar system. Pluto was miles away, so we only got to the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, and the moon. Someday, we'll have to take a bike ride to see the whole solar system...

Tree climbing.

Playing catch with Dad.

What a great day!

P.S. when exploring in the Willamette Valley, don't forget your allergy medicine. This results in a migraine that lays you out for the rest of the day :(

Compared to Whom?

We often spend so much time comparing ourselves to others that we forget to measure ourselves up to Christ. When I look at others, I can pretend that I am righteous. When I compare myself to Christ, I know that I’m not saved by my good works, I am saved by HIM!

There have been times that I have been proud and self-righteous in so many areas. Not because I’m all that, maybe because I forget to realize that Jesus is my righteousness. When working with abusive parents, it’s easy for me to believe that I’m a great mother—doing everything right. In the past year, my circumstance has changed. I’ve been spending more time with parents that are “good parents”. Then I start the comparing game. But, DANG IT, they’re not who I’m supposed to comparing myself to either. It is CHRIST that I need to compare myself to. NO ONE ELSE. It’s about Him, not about me! I want to parent my children as Jesus would. Not so that God will love me more, be impressed with me, make my children successful. But to bring Him honor, glorify Him. And to teach my kids to do the same.

Do I compare myself to the "bad parents"? NO!

Do I compare myself to the "good parents"? NO!

Do I compare myself to Christ? Yes, please.

Recently, it's come to my attention that I haven't been speaking to and treating my children as Christ would treat them. I've had more days than not, of just putting up with them, being short, and annoyed by them. I've spoken to them in ways that I would NEVER allow them to speak to me, or others to speak to them. I'm asking for heavenly help to soften my heart toward them. There's a cliche that says that "knowing is half the battle." I believe it's more than half--it's probably MOST of the battle!

Movie Review :: Gnomeo & Juliet

Bekah and Maddy were invited to a Birthday party today. Leaving Izzy to a date with just Mom and Dad. We decided a movie was a great way to make the afternoon special. So, we made our way to the $1.50 theater in town. Izzy chose Gnomeo & Juliet over Rango.

Let me start by saying that I am in TOTAL support of movie makers creating Rated G movies! It just doesn't happen much anymore. And like the difference between 6 and 7 on my TV's volume, there's a huge leap between G and PG sometimes.

This movie is a re-make of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. There are the reds (Montague) and the Blues (Capulets), two families (these families are yard gnomes) feuding for generations. Of course, Gnomeo Capulet falls in love with Juliet Montague-- a forbidden love. The whole time, I'm wondering how they're going to make such a tragic love story into a kids' movie, but I was actually surprised how well they did it in a WAY LESS TRAGIC way (without ruining any endings for you). All in all a cute movie. I was quite impressed with this movie that received nearly no recognition or kind ratings.

There is one main problem, however, with this movie. It is a blatant love story. One with rebellion, full-mouth kisses, and the end of the world when it doesn't seem like it's going to work out. Cute for me and my not-so-interested-in-boys-in-that-way daughter. NOT cute for my 4 year old that is just plain boy crazy (who just happened to be at a princess Birthday party)! In the end, Chuck, Isabelle, and I agreed it was a good movie--worth our time and $1.50. However, not a movie I will be allowing my 4 year old to watch. She doesn't need any help getting ideas about love from the media.

You might think I'm overreacting. I'm pretty secure on this stance. Click here for a GREAT article that does a fabulous job giving reason for my stance on this issue.

“Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe and you’re ready.”~ Song of Solomon 2:7

Calorie Cutter :: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese!

A family favorite: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (my kids like it best with quesadillas, but I prefer to have the bread soak up some tomato yumminess!)

I track all of my calories on livestrong.com (it works a lot like weight watchers--so I hear, but it's free!).

Today, I made my tomato soup with water instead of milk (a practice I've been at for a while). That saves about 40 calories per serving (1 cup of prepared soup).

The grilled cheese is where I REALLY cut the calories. I lightly buttered ONE slice of bread (I like Milton's Multi-grain bread) and toasted in the pan. I added finely shredded cheese (it covers more area with less cheese, equaling less calories!

Altogether, my lunch was 310 calories! The usual way would have been 550 calories! Look at me go!

Anyone else care to share a calorie cutter?

Journey of Health

About twice a year, I get uber motivated and start eating better, working out, and losing weight. I mentioned in a previous blog, that I was going to start training for a 5k (click here for a training plan)again. Well, I wouldn't say I'm motivated, so I guess I just have to fake it this time. I have GOT to do something about this. The girls did a couple of free tennis workshops through Willamalane and I love that they're learning to be active! But I can't teach them to be active and healthy if I'm not willing to do it myself.

At my heaviest, when I graduated from college in '03, I weighed 250 pounds. Between some hard work, and some sickly pregnancies, I managed to get down to 205. That was 9 months ago and I've gained about 15 pounds since that dreamy vacation to Jamaica (where I threw my new eating habits and exercise routines out the window). I had one meager attempt at it since then, but that ended quickly with yet another vacation.

Today, May 20, 2011, I determined to get to work, and to do it semi-publicly as a means of accountability. I used my elliptical for 30 minutes today burning 260 calories, running 2.3 miles. Then I spent 10 minutes doing some yoga stretches. I'd like to get it to where I can run 3.2 miles in 30 minutes on the elliptical (not sure how that will translate to running outside).

Notice the mess all around in the picture. There's laundry piled on the couch (in my defense, much of it folded), and kid toys on the floor. Since that stuff's not usually a priority anyway, why make it a priority over a good workout?

When I lose my first 10 pounds, I need some good running shoes. These ones make my feet feel numb well before the end of mile one and therefore, get thrown off. There's the short-term goal and the reward. When I'm below 200, Connie and I are going to the Cheesecake Factory in Portland (to SHARE a slice of cheese cake).

What are your goals (weight loss or otherwise)? What gets you motivated?

Top 10 quirky things / bad habits

By following blogs that have links to other blogs that have links to other blogs, I accidentally found a fun little blog in which the author posted her top 10 quirks and bad habits. From there, I found one that was in French! Thankfully, Google Chrome offered to translate it for me and it was super fun! Hope you enjoy! If you end up posting a Top 10 list, post a link in the comments, I'd love to read it (you know, after I've embarrassed myself)!

1. I crack my knuckles, back, neck, toes (if you can pop it, I will try). My favorite is my thumb. I always want to crack my neck, but then I do and get an instant headache. You think that would teach me, but it doesn't (obviously). Worse yet, if I see someone else do it, I can hardly resist the urge to do it myself. My mom tried to get the doctor to tell me it's bad for me, but he just said it gives the liquid in the joints time to move around (or something weird like that I'd never heard of before or since).

2. I develop really fun hobbies and habits. My most recent ones involve Non-fiction (currently, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day), pop-up card making (Jamie, one's coming in the mail soon), blogging (creating and following), Oregon Trail on Facebook, homemade cleaning products (I should probably blog about my homemade cleaning supplies), dream journaling (I often dream of being a princess), and Fox News. The quirky part is most of my hobbies only last about a week or two...

3. I love reality television! Current obsessions include Biggest Loser, Survivor, Amazing Race, and the Next Great American Restaurant. I am always waiting for a new season of Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab and The Bachelor!

4. I have the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy. I enjoy potty talk and fart jokes! Except when my girls don't know when enough is enough, or when I want the people around me to think I'm a better mother than that!

5. I like to psycho analyze strangers without even talking to them, be it a couple at a table across

the restaurant or a contestant on The Bachelor. Granted, I realize the inaccuracy of such diagnoses, but it's just a hobby). Jillian Michaels does it for me on the Biggest Loser, and Dr. Drew does it for me on Celebrity Rehab. I do not, however, make this a practice with people I hope to befriend (or already have), unless they seriously ask.

6. I love tan lines! I have some on my feet already which I am very proud of. At the same time, I am semi-fanatic about sunscreen. I do not want skin cancer.

7. The shower has the best acoustics for singing opera-ish.

8. I secretly love running, but I am terrible at it. Starting tomorrow, I am training for a 5k using my elliptical trainer. I know I can run 3 miles, but a year ago it took me nearly an hour to do so. This year, I am training for speed (as possible as that is or is not).

9. I LOVE playing with make-up and wearing dresses!

10. Caffeine apparently keeps me up waaaaaay too late! Thank you Dr. Pepper!

Chasing Lions at Midnight

Why can't I sleep?! Oh well, I have some shows on my DVR to catch up on, so I proceed to try to tire myself that way. I turn the TV off at a semi-reasonable time (after being assured that Olivia and Hannah will be in the final 4 together) and try to get some shut-eye. After about a half hour of tossing and turning, I realize why I cannot sleep. I'm chasing a lion! I've been reading a book by Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Click here if you want to see the book And darn it if I finally figured out what my lion is, the thing that I've been cautious to pursue! But the chase is on. Once I realize that my lion is fighting back, I'm anxious to get to work in defeating it! I've been (very passively) working with my pastor to set up a counseling practice in our church, allowing me to pursue my counseling passions while still being home with my girls. For some reason, today, I realized there is a lot of work to get done to even be able to get to that point. There are tough questions I don't know the answers to, there are circumstances I'm sure I don't understand, there are risks, and I'm determined to get this lion wrangled. I'm choosing to write about this now, so that I can look back in a year and see what the Lord has done!

By the way, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is a life-changing profound (but simple) book that I HIGHLY recommend to anyone wanting to strengthen their spiritual walk. I'm going to have to start reviewing all the books I've been reading (like the girls don't give me enough ammo!)

On another note, it wasn't until an hour after story time on the floor of the public library began, that I realized that Isabelle was not wearing underwear under her frilly Hello Kitty skirt. Geez, how many people noticed it before me?!