Todd Christmas Video part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZMywoomVr4

I ask Miriam and Judah to tell the Christmas story, and Miriam says, "I don't know what the Christmas story is," and Judah says, "I know it, but I won't tell it," so I ask him to sing a song. See part 2.

Todd Christmas Video part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8tnppjWuDs

Judah sings "Torches," a Christmas song that James taught him. Of course, he has to sing it with some sort of accent. The actual lyrics are: "Torches, torches, run with torches, all the way to Bethlehem. Christ is born and now lies sleeping. Come and sing your song to him."

Now see part 3.

Todd Christmas Video part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2cYTctMHNs

I begin to ask questions about the birth of Jesus and Judah catches me trying to trick him and his sister into telling the Christmas story. Merry Christmas from the tricky Todd family!

Dialogue translation:

ME: Where was Jesus born?
MIRA: In Bethlehem
ME: What was his mommy's name?
MIRA: Mary
ME: Do you know his daddy's name?
MIRA: Joseph
ME: Were there angels there?
MIRA: Uh, Yes
ME: Do you know what they said?
MIRA: What?
ME: I'm asking you.
MIRA: I don't know.
ME: You don't know?
ME: Who else came to see baby Jesus?
ME: Do you know who Jesus is?
MIRA; What?
ME: Who is Jesus?
MIRA: I don't know.
JUDAH: The son of God.
ME: The son of God?
MIRA: Yeah.
ME: Were there wise men who came to see Jesus?
MIRA: No. Yes, yes, yes.
ME: How did they get there?
MIRA: I don't know.
JUDAH: By camels.
ME: Did they follow any kind of sign?
JUDAH: A star.
JUDAH: Hey, you're, she's, hey Miriam! She's tricking us into telling the story of baby Jesus!
(Mommy laughs)
ME: You're really smart Judah, you know that?
JUDAH: Were you really trying to do that?
(Mommy laughs some more)

MIEL means HONEY in so many ways.

I'm not sure how it's possible, but the best restaurant in Nashville went unnoticed by us for over an entire year!

MIEL is, by far, the BEST restaurant we've experienced since Erin Roland worked at Zola (which, by the way, is closing its doors mid-January since the owners Chef Deb and husband Ernie Paquette are moving to the Caribbean). For a while, we were enjoying Shon Hudspeth's service at Germantown Cafe, but then he moved to The Yellow Porch (whose menu wasn't terribly impressive), and we had another baby (who, um, happens to be THREE now), so we just stopped frequenting higher-end restaurants for a while.

Kalamata's has been my favorite family restaurant for years, but it's not the place I'd go for a romantic date-night or super-special occasion. Even my favorite restaurant in TN, Pearl's Cafe near Sewanee, burned down, so we didn't make our annual trip to Monteagle this year (although it looks like they're open for business again).

Since Christy moved in with us April and began offering us date nights one night a week, we started going out again. James would buy discounted gift certificates through Nashville Originals or Groupon.com or Restaurants.com or Half-Off Nashville and we would venture out hoping for a culinary experience worth sharing. Unfortunately, I wasn't super impressed with what Nashville had to offer. Most of the time, my chef-ish husband could have topped our dinner offerings at home (for a fraction of the price). Generally, the service was poor or the atmosphere was lacking. And Nashville has too many "good" restaurants to waste time and money at adequate or barely average restaurants.

For truly excellent restaurants, well . . . Zola has topped our list for years. But they're closing!

MIEL's food reminds me of Zola, the atmosphere reminds me of Germantown, and the fresh, local offerings remind me of Pearl's. They even have their own farm! Our server, David, was just as fabulous as Erin and Shon, and so we not only enjoyed a romantic date night this Saturday while my parents' had the kids for the weekend, but we also went back for Sunday brunch!

I could go on and on about how fabulous it is, but you really need to experience it first-hand. Check out their website: MielRestaurant.com. Drool over the pictures and peruse the menu. Then, call 298-FOOD (3663) and make reservations as soon as you can. They're open Tues-Sat from 5:30-10 and Sunday from 10-2, and they're located at 53rd & Charlotte just behind Bobbie's Dairy Dip. Ask for David and tell the host/hostess that James and Lori sent you. You are sure to be perfectly delighted.

Just a bit of press to get you started:

BEST OF NASHVILLE 2009

Nashville Scene October 15, 2009

Best Brunch: Miel
An alternate title for this category could be Best Place for a Culinary Campout, because I'd like to reserve the same table at Miel for Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch and just spend the night. After a lingering evening of foie gras, escargots and trout in Seema and Jimmy Phillips' sleek Sylvan Park dining room, I'd unfurl my sleeping bag on the serene back patio and drift off into a wine-induced slumber, dreaming of orange-custard French toast and Callebaut hot chocolate. When the sun peeked up over Charlotte Pike, I'd rise to the scent of Benton's bacon and sip away the morning grogginess with a steaming French press of dark roast. Shrimp and grits, braised short ribs with poached eggs and house-made granola with macerated berries, orange zest and mint...now that's my idea of roughing it. Carrington Fox

More Pics from The Princess Tea Party

A sampling of the decorated cupcakes. I've never had so much candy in my house!
Miriam in the dress Christy gave her for her birthday. She looks like a little model to me!
She immediately wanted to wear all of her gifts and have me take a picture of how "cutie" she looked.
Dressed in a few of the things she received for her birthday and the pretty princess tiara she made with the help of Ms Paula, the Queen!
Miriam was so overwhelmed by having all of us sing "Happy Birthday" that she couldn't blow out the candles! Mommy and Nana helped. Sweet Mira.

The Mira-Yummy Princess Tea Party

Pretty princesses decorating their princess cupcakes with great focus.
The beautiful display thanks to Princess Ruthie!
Enjoying the Princess Tea like little ladies. They were SO SWEET!
Some of the sweetest little girls on the planet dressed in all their princess glory!

Miriam wanted to have a Princess Tea Party for her 3rd birthday, so we decorated the living room, invited a few princesses and their mommies, and required that all dress up in their princess best. These little sweeties were perfectly delightful as they sipped their tea and decorated their cupcakes. Judah and Miriam have been playing tea party ever since. If I had a bigger house, I'd want to host a party like this every month!

My Father's House and Royal Hope Academy

OK, final one for tonight. I've been collecting these in my head for days . . .

My amazing, creative, talented friend Rebecca Sorensen recently sent me a support letter, which I'm eager to get into the hands of as many people as possible. As you may know, we spent six months in Uganda, East Africa, and have supported a young deaf girl named Justine for over seven years now. I wholeheartedly support Rebecca's vision and mission and would love to see her generate more than enough funding for all the projects she has going right now. The jewelry that the women of Uganda make from recycled magazines is stunning, and for every necklace purchased, a child will be FED and EDUCATED for ONE MONTH! Check out the jewelry HERE!

And now for Rebecca's letter:

My name is Rebecca Sorensen and this year I started an organization called My Father's House Missions International. We have been working in Uganda, East Africa, home to over 2 million orphans and 50000 abducted, abused, and war-affected children. We were able to open a school now educating 150 children in the heart of a slum area to serve these children and meet their needs of education and HOPE! ... Royal Hope Academy. We were also able to start a small children's home as we watched our school directors' hearts break for these needy children and he and his wife began to adopt them into their own family.

SO plans are underway for me to return to Uganda! I can't wait to see my kids at Royal Hope Academy again and to pour God's love into their lives! I can't wait to start on the projects that are going to add sustainability to our children's home and school. I can't wait to encourage the teachers and pray for them! I can't wait to see my Ugandan family and hug their necks and speak to them in Luganda! I can't wait to worship in hot African open air dirt floor churches with people who are so hungry for God because they are believing Him for their lives, their breath, their daily bread.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET ON THAT PLANE!!!!

But I need YOU to help me get there!

Here are a couple of ways you can help me:::

1. I want to ask all of my friends and facebook aquaintances to donate at least $10 for 2010. Most of us can spare $10. If you can or want to give more, it would be so helpful! I have over 1000 friends on here...So I'm trying to get at least 500 people to give $10 OR MORE to help bring hope to a hopeless child!

You can do so through the My Father's House website by credit/debit or paypal: http://www.myfathershouseintl.org/index_files/Page349.htm
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

OR you can mail a check made payable to "Branches of Life" then send to:
Rebecca Sorensen P.O. Box 158145 Nashville, TN 37215

ALSO, I want to invite you to invite 10 of your friends that might also want to give...

2. Part of my expenses this time around is all of our ministry costs which I have been raising monthly through small fundraising projects here in the US. Once I leave, I have to make sure all of those expenses are covered. You can help me to do that by sponsoring a child or a teacher through the My Father's House website as well.
http://www.myfathershouseintl.org/index_files/Page349.htm

3. Finally...You can purchase some of our magazine paper bead jewelry to give as Christmas gifts! This will also help to cover some of the ministry costs of my trip! For every necklace purchased, a child will be FED and EDUCATED for 1 MONTH!

Do it here: http://www.myfathershouseintl.org/index_files/Page372.htm

4. PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't just say this...I WILL REALLY NEEEEED PRAYERS AS I GO INTO UNSTABLE WAR TORN AREAS, even nations other than Uganda, and into places with health risks...but there is NO RISK with JESUS!

Sometimes it is really difficult as a missionary with a lot of vision and few resources to ask others' for help but the word of God says...

"But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?"

PLEASE SEND ME!!!!! I am ready and available to GO!

Thanks so much everyone! I know God will bless your giving!

WITH LOVE AND HOPE!
AUNTIE REBECCA :-)

Hand-made Jewelry by Rashida

Did I say one more? I meant two more . . . well, maybe three more. I can't help it! I literally have SO MANY amazing, creative, talented friends and they're all up to something right now!

I received this note from Davita Hungate about Rashida Johnson, who is one of my favorite young women of all time. Saturday is going to be a whirlwind of a day for us, so we probably won't make it to Franklin to support her, but I wanted to at least help get the word out.

WHO: Rashida Johnson is a sweet friend of mine, who, as a godly young
hard-working entrepreneurial woman, makes beautifully inspired
hand-made jewelry. She is the oldest girl in a family of 10
children. This reception will give her great opportunity to
share her gifts with us, while allowing her to earn money
for Christmas presents.

WHAT: a Reception for my good friend Rashida Johnson to sell her
hand-made jewelry to earn money for Christmas. You'll find
high-quality hand-made jewelry at a low cost ($2 - $10 for necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets).
It's the only jewelry I wear!

WHERE: Davita Hungate's house.
1129 West Main St. Apt. 8, Franklin
(call for directions if you need them : 568-6833)

WHEN: December 12, 2009
2p.m.- 4p.m.
* you can drop by for 5-10 minutes, or stay for awhile and
have some cookies and tea or coffee with us.

WHY: Because you may need some beautiful jewelry for your family
or friends for Christmas presents.



Merry Christmas and we can't wait to see you!!
** feel free to print this and share it with your friends!!**

Davita

A Christmas with the Stars

Just one more . . . (yes, amazing, creative, talented friend story and link) . . .

My friend Andy Reese, who also happens to be an Ivy League trained scientist/engineer, has created a DVD presentation called A Christmas with the Stars, which "compellingly portrays the majesty, science, geography and history behind the story of the Star of Bethlehem and the Magi." Check out his website for a 3-minute trailer and more details. Excellent gift idea for hard-to-buy-for family and friends!

http://achristmaswiththestars.org/

365 Canvases 4 the Future.

Did I mention that I have amazing, creative, talented friends? I'm pretty sure I did. Well, here's another one . . . Dennas Davis, who happens to be the illustrator of my kids' favorite children's Bible and a terrific friend, has decided to create one painting a day for 365 days. Check out his paintings and his painting tips on his blog: CRAZYTRUCK.

Too Too Cute!

I have really amazing, creative, talented friends. Really.

For example, I grew up approximately three miles from a girl named Stacie. She and I rode to school together in high school almost every day for a year. She pursued a degree in deaf education at Eastern Kentucky University and then we lost touch. Thanks to Facebook, I have discovered that she works only 10 minutes from my house. We had lunch together at the Frist Center Cafe and spent some time catching up. Turns out, she spent some time in Africa as a missionary, which is where she met her husband. They are now in the process of adopting a little African princess! She is making "too too cute" tu-tus and selling them for $12 each to help bring her little princess home. I'm going to meet her this week to buy one for my little princess Miriam who is turning three on "the sixteenth of Decembah." If you'd like to add one to my order and have me pick it up for you, give me a call or e-mail me. If you want to place an order, you can do that through me, or by messaging her on Facebook: Stacie Brown Livingstone.

Blog Apology

Dear Blog,

Sadly, I have sorely neglected you. It's not for want of ideas or good writing material. No, it's a silly reason. I couldn't sign into two gmail accounts at the same time and didn't like having to sign in and out of e-mail just to write new posts. See? So silly. However, I have just discovered that if I leave two separate Internet windows open, I can be signed into one gmail account for one and this account for the other. Hooray! Now I hope I will stop neglecting you and start writing again. I've had lots of fun quotes from the kids, but I've taken the quick and easy route and posted them on Facebook. I know this is a more permanent place to write them and I really should have been posting them here all along, but I admit I was too lazy to figure out an easy way to do it. Please forgive me.

~ Her Royal Excitedness

Come Celebrate 10 Years of Marriage with Us!

It's official!

Our 10 year anniversary bash will be a week from this Sunday on October 11 at Edwin Warner Park--pavilion #6. ALL DAY!!!

Come and go and eat and hike and hug and play and enjoy the beautiful fall weather TOGETHER!

Little News and Big News

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in over a month. I suppose that's about the time we discovered we're going to have another baby!

Yep, I'm officially pregnant, due April 8, 2010. Both kids are convinced we're having a baby boy, but they're both open to having a girl. They got to see the baby swimming during the ultrasound. Judah thinks it looks like a little bean (at 10 weeks it kind of does look like a bean with very busy arms and legs). Miriam tells just about everyone she meets that she has a baby in her belly--for sure.

Oh, and Judah lost his first tooth! He lost it at 9:09 a.m. on 9/09/09 while I was talking to my mom on the phone about how I was going to have him push it back the other direction. He overheard me (even though his door was shut), pushed his tooth back, and it came out. What a thrill!

For weeks he would say, "I have two surprises for you. Do you want to hear the big surprise or the little surprise first?" 100% of the people asked would say, "The little surprise."

"The little surprise is I have a loose tooth and I'm only 5!"

"And the big surprise?" they would ask.

"My mom has a baby in her belly--FOR SURE!"

So fun. I had Miriam at home and am planning to have another home birth. I think the kids would be amazed at the whole experience and kind of hope they get to watch. If you think I'm crazy, just ask my husband, my sister, and my mom what amazing labor and delivery experiences I've had. I wouldn't subject the kids to something I don't think they can't handle. Judah was full of great questions after the ultrasound, and he's fascinated by the whole process. Getting to share the whole process with both Judah and Miriam has been absolutely delightful.

One final note . . . Christy, who lives with us, shared this short film with me. Then, my friend Amy told me to watch it this morning. It completely blew me away. The kids love it and so do I. Enjoy!

THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS

http://www.thedoorpost.com/hope/film/?film=4dd298f102c77b625cf37a9e7744ac68

A few pics from the show MIRROR, MIRROR, courtesy of Stephen Moss

Was that the REAL play?

I was telling Judah this afternoon that I was really proud of him last night for doing such a great job delivering his lines in front of a live audience.

He said, "Was that the REAL play?"

"Yep," I said, "that was the real play."

"So I don't have to rehearsal anymore?"

Reminds me of a time when I was four. My mom had enrolled me in ballet lessons. After our big performance, I told her that I didn't want to go to practices anymore--I just wanted to be on stage. Sometimes I feel as though I'm raising myself.

We made the news . . .

Did you happen to see our article in this Sunday's Tennessean? Click HERE to read it online!

I'm quoted on page 2, and the 5-year-old the author mentions is Judah!

The show opens this Friday, so I'm getting my hair dyed auburn on Wednesday, and I'll be trying on costumes tonight. So fun.

We spent the weekend building things (thank you, Dad and Uncle Charlie!!!), painting, and generally having fun sweating in the sun and heat with a bunch of hilarious theater people. It was fabulous!

Hope you can make it to one of the performances. Remember, you have six to choose from!

Friday, July 31
Saturday, August 1
Sunday, August 2
or
Friday, August 7
Saturday, August 8
Sunday, August 9

Shows start at 7:30 each night, tickets are $10, and seats can be reserved by calling (615) 364-5199 or e-mailing scott@oracleproductions.org.

Hope to see you there!

Judah and Lori take the stage--next weekend!

You know how Judah and I auditioned for a play a few months ago? Well, not only did we both land roles, but we're now getting ready to start the show! The play opens in a week and a half on July 31, which is a Friday night.

You'll have six performances to choose from:

Friday, July 31
Saturday, August 1
Sunday, Augsut 2

and

Friday, August 7
Saturday, August 8
Sunday, August 9

The show starts at 7:30 PM sharp, and tickets are $10 each. Group rates are available. To reserve seats, call Oracle Productions at (615) 364-5199 or e-mail scott@oracleproductions.org.

Come out and see Judah in his first stage production and Lori as Morgan Le Fay, the wicked Queen Morgana. This is our first play together, and it's going to be worth your time--we promise!

Where is it? Glad you asked. Lipscomb University's Shamblin Theatre, 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN (across the street and large parking lot from Pizza Perfect, Copper Kettle, laundromat, bookstore, and Mexican restaurant). Take I-65 to Wedgewood and head away from the fairgrounds, toward 8th Ave. Hang a left on 12th, which turns into Granny White. Immediately past the light at the little row of shops on your left, turn right into the parking lot and head into the University Center (first building on your right). The theater is tucked away in a corner, past all the places to eat, near the restrooms. If you get turned around, you can call or text my cell (615) 496-8079. Hopefully, I'll hear it!

See you next weekend or the second weekend in August!

Judah and Miriam recite Judah's lines

Miriam has heard Judah practice his lines so many times that she can now deliver them with ease--usually while running--as demonstrated in this video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw8WtsIrUjw

If that doesn't entice you to come see us in Mirror, Mirror, then check out this little video from Judah. This is a little picture of what he says to nearly everyone he meets.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_AyfTi0ark

Miriam Talks to Ms Ruthie about Baby Arianna's Visit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubXaUz4XSoE



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV9cQz-JUN8

VOTE for Jonathan Frank!

We have a close friend (Jonathan Frank) who is auditioning for a year-long contract with a local television station in Virginia to be their new "Face of Fox 43." To vote for him, all you have to do is watch his funny two-minute video audition all the way to the end. I recommend watching it twice so you can read the captions the second time.

If you have the time and the desire, open up several tabs, play the video in each one (on mute, of course!), and then start the video all over again as many times as you're able. We'd love to see him win this contest!

http://www.fox43tv.com/generic/face_of_fox_43/frank_jonathan

First-round voting ends at midnight on Sunday, July 19, 2009.
Vote often!
Tell your friends!
Help Jonathan win!!!

Judah Quote of the Day

Overheard on the steps, spoken by Judah to Miriam: "I'm wounded, Miriam. Do you know what wounded is? It's a boy way of saying I have a boo-boo."

Mira Quote of the Day

On Monday, I took the kids to the Bicentennial Mall fountains. As I was playing with Miriam's hair, trying to pull it up for her, she turns around and says to me with all sincerity, "Mommy, my hair is NOT a toy."

(The picture is of Miriam with baby Arianna, one of her favorite babies. The daughter of our new friends, John and Ruthie, she is an absolute angel!)

Food & Stuff Re-post from September 3, 2007

Original post written on September 3, 2007: http://herroyalexcitedness.blogspot.com/2007/09/food-and-stuff.html.

Food and Stuff

While I'm no expert, I am a reader, and that, at least, makes me informed. I also like to eat. Excellent food paired with good conversation (and, occasionally, no conversation at all) is one of our family's core values.

We like to eat out. We like to eat at friends' houses. We like to eat at home. We like to eat in the car. We like to eat outside. We just like to eat.

I forget that the way we eat has been completely revolutionized until I get around other people.

Recently, my husband went on a grocery run with one of his friends. His friend said, "Everything in your cart is perishable. It's all going to go bad." Well, sure, if we left it in our cabinet forever, but we usually eat what we buy that week. The fruit goes on the counter for Judah to help himself (he's becoming more and more self-sufficient) and it's what we eat instead of chips, cheetos, crackers, cookies. . . .

Most of our vegetables come from a local farmer's garden, and they're usually consumed by the next grocery run as well. Anything we're not too keen on, we give away. Okra went to Grandma a couple weeks ago. Extra watermelon went to our neighbor. Occasionally, we have fruit or vegetables that do go bad. We now add them to our composter so we'll have some decent soil and keep bags of trash out of landfills. (Between recycling and composting, we're down to one kitchen-sized bag of trash each week--mostly Miriam's diapers--but that's another entry entirely).

We try desperately to avoid partially hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup, anything that says it has artificial flavors and/or colors, anything "white," which usually means it has been bleached or processed to death then "enriched"--white flour, white sugar, white rice, white bread--(you could eat cardboard and take a multi-vitamin for the same effect.)

Years ago, a friend said that the shorter the ingredient list, the better the food. Someone else said that if she can't pronounce the ingredients, she doesn't buy it. I recently read that someone eats only foods with one ingredient. Those would be "whole" foods.

Our bodies don't know what to do with fake stuff. We're not designed to ingest plastic in the name of food and become healthier and live longer as a result. Quite the opposite.

In The Oiling of America, Enig & Fallon write, "Trans fatty acids are sufficiently similar to natural fats that the body readily incorporates them into the cell membrane; once there their altered chemical structure creates havoc with thousands of necessary chemical reactions—everything from energy provision to prostaglandin production. . . . most of the trans isomers in modern hydrogenated fats are new to the human physiology and by the early 1970's a number of researchers had expressed concern about their presence in the American diet, noting that their increasing use had paralleled the increase in both heart disease and cancer. The unstated solution was one that could be easily presented to the public: Eat natural, traditional fats; avoid newfangled foods made from vegetable oils; use butter, not margarine." (emphasis mine)

James forwarded an article to me a few days ago (it took me three days to read it, but I finally read the whole thing) from The New York Times: Unhappy Meals by Michael Pollan, January 28, 2007. Excellent read.

What it boils down to is this: Real food has been largely replaced in America with processed, boxed, labeled, nutrionally-deficient "stuff." It's not real food. It tries to pretend to be food through "nutrionism." Nutritionism, according to Wikipedia, is an ideology that assumes that it is the scientifically identified nutrients in foods that determine their value in the diet. [1] Ever heard of lycopene? Ketchup sellers use it to get you to buy ketchup. They actually want you to think that the high fructose corn syrup-laden goop is somehow "good" for you. That it could help your body fight cancer. Give me a break.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Ah, synergy. Never thought I'd say that food is synergistic. But it is. It truly is.

Eat a tomato. Enjoy it fresh from the garden, warmed by the sun. A bottle of ketchup with a 2008 expiration date doesn't begin to compare to my garden-fresh, ripe, delivered the same day, grown an hour away, truly delicious tomatoes. Sliced with a smidgen of sea salt or sandwiched or diced and tossed into my husband's fresh gazpacho, mmmmmmm.

In case you were wondering, we didn't get here overnight, and we didn't grow up eating healthy food. Just a few years ago, I was pregnant in Africa and craving all kinds of cheesy, processed junk. It was somehow comforting to me to eat "cheese" crackers ("made with REAL cheese!"--what else have they been making it with? Think about it). It took a LONG time for me to reach for a piece of fruit instead of a bag of chips. For my son, however, the fruit is much more appealing. Praise God.

Speaking of fruit, Judah was upset tonight when I told him we didn't have any more plums. "May I have an apple, then?"
"You ate the last apple right before you took a nap on the couch."
"Then tell me what we do have."
"We don't have any more fruit. We'll have to buy some more."
"No more fruit? Why?"
"Because we ate it all."
I thought he was going to cry. Then he ate almost all of my zuchinni. Little stinker.

Oh, I could write about this all night. It's 10:00, though, and I need to join my husband upstairs and drift off to sleep. I have so much more to say, but I'll save it for another post. I'm re-reading Food Politics by Marion Nestle and I'm hoping to read Eating in the Dark by Kathleen Hart before I have to take both books back to the library. I may post a few quotes from both books and comment on them. Reminds me a little of school. Can you tell I miss researching and writing on a regular basis?

Now that James is back home, I should be on here more often. I hope so.

A quick addendum:

Now that we've discovered roasted okra, we never give it away anymore.

"Judah get me all wet!"

Click HERE for a short video of Judah chasing Miriam with the hose after Mira says,"Judah get me all wet!"

Fun with the hose on a hot June day

"I'm NOT the big bad wolf, Judah. I'm Miriam Todd!"

Click HERE for a video of Miriam convincing Judah that she's NOT the big bad wolf. She's MIRIAM TODD!

Conversations with Miriam

A conversation I had with Miriam this afternoon:

"Miriam, are you stinky?"

"No."

Minutes later . . .

"You ARE a stinky tootie messy bootie!"

"I NOT a stinky messy bootie. I'm a little girl!"


Later on . . .

Judah dons a blue towel with a hood and runs around Miriam saying he's little blue riding hood and she's the big bad wolf. He shouts, "Ah!!!! The big bad wolf is coming!"

She stops and shouts, "I NOT the big bad wolf! I'm Miriam Todd!" Out comes the pouty lip.

I love that little girl.

Judah's Second Quote of the Day

"Mommy, why were you so disappointed with me when I told you I peed on the mint?" --Judah Rees Todd, age 5

Judah, the memorizer of (my) lines

Just a moment ago, I was reciting my lines outside while Judah and Miriam played in the sand. I said, "Whatever it takes to ease your mind," and Judah said, "Why did you say 'mind' instead of 'conscience'? You're supposed to say 'conscience,' Mommy."

During one of our rehearsals, the director made that minor change, but it didn't go unnoticed by my sponge of a son. He listens to and absorbs EVERYTHING.

Working from home and taking free vacations.

An open letter from me to a group of friends who have followed my entreprenurial journey for the past year:

Good morning, friends.

Several of you have asked me recently how it's going with my business. I expect that's because it's been a while since I've sent an update!

As you may know, this is my first time ever running my own business. It's been quite an education! I've learned that it's easy to spend money when it's a "business expense" or a "tax write-off." I ended up spending more than I made. The husband wasn't too happy. I also learned that I'm no longer very good at juggling several responsibilities now that I'm a mother of two. When I started teaching in the fall, my travel business took a back seat. Again, the husband? Hoping I pick it back up--soon.

Between learning how to get by on very little (I kissed the credit card goodbye) and summer arriving with no more papers to grade (woo hoo!), my creative thinking skills have kicked into gear again. Creative thinking and motivation are KEY to owning your own business! Yes, the husband is very, very happy.

In a nutshell, I made an average of $2,000 per month working from home last year. We received our tax return a couple weeks ago, and even after we paid our accountant (who is AMAZING, by the way), the IRS deposited over $6,000 into our checking account. That put quite a dent in our debt! We are on track to pay off ALL of our debt in less than four years--including our house--even if I don't make any more money with my business. However, if I continue to make money, financial freedom comes even faster!

I can't do it without a team, though. I'd love to have approximately 12 people join me this summer. If you're one of them, or if you know someone who might be, I'd love to connect before any vacations are planned since we are now able to take vacations for FREE. I'm already planning a little getaway when the husband rides his bike across Iowa--or is it Idaho? Either way, he'll be gone, so the kids and I are going to sneak off to the beach. We'll be able to stay in a condo for a week for F.R.E.E. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!

Oh, and one more thing, if you haven't already heard, my 5-year-old son and I are going to be performing together on stage for the first time. If you're in the area, come out to David Lipscomb's Shamblin Theater on July 31, August 1-2, or August 7-9 at 7:00 p.m. to see us. The play is called Mirror, Mirror and it's loosely based on the story of Snow White, but it's set during the time of King Arthur. I play Queen Morgana, also known as Morgan Le Fay, and Judah plays a little boy named Brody. He even has two lines! Rehearsals are every Monday and Thursday night, which means I won't be at the business presentation this Monday, but I'm hoping to have a few people there. Let me know if you'd like the details!

Happy Summer to all! And to all, free vacations! (hee hee)

Lori Todd
http://loritodd.biz
(615) 891-1704, home
(615) 496-8079, cell

Conversations with Mira

Last night, I prayed for the kids, sang one song, and crawled into bed at 9 p.m., which is early for me. The kids were still talking and giggling and pretending to sleep in tents. Eventually, James said something to them. It went like this:

Daddy: Guys, I need you to go to sleep. It's time. Go to sleep.

Mira: I not a guys.

Bang Bang! Prepare to Die!

CLICK HERE to watch an 8-second video of Miriam impersonating Judah who has frequently impersonated Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride.

How to get TWO LIVE WORMS from one.

CLICK HERE to watch a short video of Judah explaining how he cut a worm in half (gently) and now he has TWO LIVE WORMS! Miriam chimes in every now in then, too.

Mira Demonstrates How to Go Potty

CLICK HERE to watch a short video of Mira demonstrating the proper way to go potty.

New Recipe--Green Chips!

We tried a new recipe tonight that I just had to share.

If you've read my blog for very long, you know that I'm a big fan of green smoothies (yes, I actually add fresh, raw, organic baby spinach and other greens to my fruit smoothies). Well, I just found another scrumptious way to eat more greens (or at least eat the abundance of greens from our CSA, which, by the way, is still accepting new members):

Make Kale or Spinach Chips!

Roasted Kale with Sea Salt 4 cups firmly-packed kale
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. good-quality sea salt, such as Maldon or Cyprus Flake
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Wash and trim the kale: Peel off the tough stems by folding the kale leaves in half like a book and stripping the stems off. Toss with extra virgin olive oil. Roast for five minutes. Turn kale over. Roast another 7 to 10 minutes until kale turns brown and becomes paper thin and brittle. Remove from oven and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve immediately.
Makes 2 servings.

Oh, my goodness. These "Kale Chips" were so good that after we devoured them (in a matter of seconds), I did the same thing to the bag of spinach we had in the fridge. Delicious! SO much better than any processed bag of potato chips--and full of nutrition! I couldn't believe it!

I seasoned mine with a little Creole seasoning. James liked them seasoned with salt. Either way, they're worth heating up the house for a few minutes. Amazingly yummy and good for you, too!

If you'd like to try fresh, local, seasonal, organic produce, check out the following links to our CSA. Oh, they now have one in Bowling Green, too!

Letter from Farmer Andrew Habegger
Sign-up form for Eco-Gardens CSA

Rehearsals for Mirror Mirror: The Verdict

Have you heard the news?

CLICK HERE for the cast list of Oracle Productions' next play: Mirror Mirror.

Judah and I auditioned both Tuesday and Wednesday night. I had planned to take him on Wednesday only, but then I realized that having him audition for two consecutive nights would be a relatively good indicator of how well he would handle rehearsals and performing for multiple consecutive nights.

Even though we planned to leave auditions early, he was ready to stay to the end, having napped all afternoon. He begged me to go back into the theater so he could see the other actors "memorize their lines." He found someone to sit next to and stayed put, sitting perfectly still and quiet while each group of actors took the stage.

The first night, he was a little nervous. After all, it was his first time EVER delivering lines from a stage before a live audience. So he held my hand walking up to the stage and didn't let go until we walked off the stage. He forgot his first line (he kept getting stuck on it, trying to correct the grammar), so I whispered it to him. His second line he delivered with gusto. He projected his voice perfectly, used appropriate facial expressions, and even incorporated some body language. As usual, his inflection was perfect. If you've ever had a conversation with Judah, you know that he is one expressive kid who has no problem turning up the volume.

The next night Judah acted like he owned the place. He memorized his lines, walked on stage by himself, sat down right in the middle of the stage (without holding my hand), delivered his lines without prompting, used body language, facial expressions, inflection . . . and in typical Judah fashion, he projected his voice like a pro. He even left the stage heading in the opposite direction from me. I felt like a theater mom whose professional 5-year-old actor was shining at yet another audition. Judah wanted to stay to the end, but he was already exhausted and I wanted to be able to focus on auditioning for the role of Morgana, the beautiful, wicked queen.

During my last scene, I read for Queen Morgana while David Durham (who married my husband and I nearly 10 years ago), read for King Arthur. At the end of the instense-turned-poignant scene, we received an "illegal" applause. I said, "We're not supposed to do that!" Then, I looked up and saw the director and his two assistants clapping. I got so nervous that my arms started itching. I spent the next two hours talking incessantly to my husband about how much I wanted the role and how excited I was at the prospect of doing a show with my son and how I couldn't believe we received an applause.

Turns out . . . Judah landed the role of Brody, the character for whom he "read," and I was cast as Queen Morgana, who is one of the leads. Woo Hoo!!! I'm beside myself with excitement!

Judah asked me after the first night what he would do if he got on stage and forgot his lines because he might get nervous having to say them in front of a bunch of people he doesn't know. I said, "You said your lines last night in front of a bunch of people you don't know," to which he replied, "But they were really nice!" So I reminded him of J.J. the little lamb at storytime (at the downtown main library). She makes her entrance with fearful trembling, but once she realizes all the faces are friendly, she is relieved and greets everyone with cheerfulness. She makes her exit by blowing everyone a huge kiss. I was delighted to be able to encourage him by bringing up J.J.'s experience and saying that once you get to know them, most people are very friendly--just like the ones you met last night.

Judah makes friends pretty quickly. He's turned it into an art form. By the second night of auditions, everyone was calling him by name and asking him questions. Whenever someone would ask Judah if he was reading for Brody, he would say, "No. I don't know HOW to read!"

He occasionally mentions to me that he doesn't know how he will be able to be in the play since he doesn't know how to read, but I continually remind him that he has several of his books, songs, nursery rhymes, and scriptures memorized just by hearing and practicing them over and over again. Even the people who know how to read will have to memorize their lines for the performances, which was a welcome surprise for Judah.

I have to admit that I'm a little nervous about Judah being able to handle night after night of rehearsals and then having to perform for three consecutive nights over two consecutive weekends--I mean, he is only five years old. In fact, he just turned five in March. At the same time, I remember all the times we've walked into a theater when he's asked, "Do I get to be on STAGE?" and how much fun he had with his acting classes at the Nashville Children's Theater (I can't wait to tell Julee, his acting teacher about his new role!) and how often he's asked, "I'm a really good actor, right, Mom?" The kid is always dressing up, getting into character, and roping newly found friends into some imaginary play. He LOVES this stuff.

So I suppose that if he gets enough rest during the day (and plenty of good food), he should be fine. I've been looking forward to doing a show with my son for years--I'm so happy that it's happening in two months!

July 31, August 1-2, and August 7-9 at David Lipscomb's Shamblin Theater

Save the dates! They'll be here before you know it, and you definitely don't want to miss this show!

Mira-Yummy in her "Princess Dresses"

Judah Auditions with Mommy Next Week!

Judah and I will be auditioning for a play together next week! Once I realized Judah might actually be up for it, I tried to make it sound terribly difficult for him, explaining that we're only auditioning, so we may not even land a role, but if he does land one of the roles, he has to memorize lines and deliver the same lines night after night. He would have to spend many nights practicing and many nights on stage acting. He wouldn't get to do what he wanted to do on stage--he would have to listen to the director and obey every command. Even though I went on and an about how he might not be ready for this kind of commitment yet, he responded, "I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!" and he LEAPED out of the van as if we were about to audition right then.

I suppose auditions will give us a good indication of his readiness. I'll keep you posted!

Details for auditions (if you'd like to join us, hint hint):

Oracle Productions will be holding auditions for "Mirror, Mirror," a new play by Scott Crain, on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, May 5th & 6th, from 7-9:30 PM at Lipscomb University's Shamblin Theater, located at 3901 Granny White Pike.

Roles are available for 10 men and 4 women ages 16 and up, and 5 children ages 12 and under. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Production dates are July 31 - August 2 & 7-9 at the Shamblin Theater; for more information, call (615) 364-5199, or e-mail the director at scott@oracleproductions.org.

These pictures are a little foreshadowing of what we'll experience if we end up doing this play together! (Hoping to make Daddy feel a little better about it, too.)

This was a difficult one to write.

Last night, I read a few chapters of Treasure Island to Judah, where I came across this quote from Robert Louis Stevenson's famous Long John Silver to young Jim:

"You can't touch pitch and not be mucked, lad."

Judah switched gears on me this morning and changed his reading selection from Treasure Island to his Children's Story Bible by Catherine Vos. What stood out to me from our reading was this:

"Sin is like a wild animal. It is always waiting to jump on you and choke you."

Reading Francis Schaeffer's The God Who Is There, I came across a passage that spoke volumes to me:

The Christian is to resist the spirit of the world. But when we say this, we must understand that the world-spirit does not always take the same form. So the Christian must resist the spirit of the world in the form it takes in his own generation. If he does not do this, he is not resisting the spirit of the world at all. This is especially so for our generation, as the forces at work against us are of such a total nature. It is our generation of Christians more than any other who need to heed these words attributed to Martin Luther:

'If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.'"

A friend's advice to me just days ago was to completely cut off ties with anyone who flirted with me (primarily through Facebook, if the truth be told). She said that she felt as though she was being harsh. She was firm and direct, but we've known each other for almost as long as I've been married (which will be 10 years in October), so I know that she was speaking out of a spirit of love. In fact, she had attended a marriage class the day before which focused on this exact subject. The seasoned women in the room had offered their wisdom. Whether they were successful in their battles or not, the message was the same: cut off all communication and don't look back.

It took me a few days. I sat on the idea for a while. I struggled with letting go of the thrill of being noticed and flattered and complimented. When someone takes an interest in you, and your greatest desire is to know and to be known, then simply "shutting it down" is not as easy as it sounds.

I know she must have been praying for me because everywhere I turned, the Lord was speaking to me, encouraging me to make the right decision. He knows that through every battle, I want to be one of the ones left standing. He knows that I don't want to become a statistic. He knows that I want my children to grow up with a mommy and a daddy who love each other and stay together--no matter what.

Over the course of the week, I thought while putting Miriam to bed one night that sometimes we just have to trust God, do what he says, and believe that we will eventually walk again in peace, joy, and love--even if we're feeling like crap at the moment. As I put her to bed, I began to pray for her. Since Judah and I have been memorizing Proverbs together, I prayed a few Proverbs over her.

Having Judah memorize scriptures has both helped me and haunted me. For example, I now have rattling around in my head: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." and "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." and "He who listens to me will live in safety, and be at ease, without fear of harm." and "He holds victory in store for the upright and he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless." and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."

Once I gathered up enough pluck to either confess my wandering heart to my husband or cut off ties with the flirt, James and I had the biggest fight we've had in a LONG time. On Saturday, we fought. On Sunday, we rode to and from KY together, without saying a word. On Monday night, I spent some time chatting with a former college roommate who encouraged me in my marriage and offered some sound advice. On Tuesday, we went out for dinner. That's when we made some progress and worked through our conflict from Saturday. Of course, on Wednesday, the flirting increased dramatically (it went from "I think he's flirting" to "Oh, he's definitely flirting").

My friend told me that the enemy is poking around, trying to find a weak spot. She and the flirt are both products of failed marriages. Both have said that divorce is painful. Both have said that they'd never want to experience divorce again. The difference is, she's married and he's not.

I listened to a conversation several weeks ago between a woman who is considering divorce and a woman whose parents divorced when she was young. The woman whose parents divorced encouraged the woman whose marriage is rocky that she would do anything in her power to stay together because of the heartache she experienced growing up. The heartache and pain didn't go away just because she grew up. In many ways, it grew up with her.

Last night I read the testimony of a young man whose parents divorced when he was young. He described in detail the painful emotions he experienced as a result of his parent's break-up.

Everywhere I turn, I'm bombarded with messages to "fireproof" my marriage or be a "living warrior." I've been praying almost daily for a friend's marriage, so all of the things I've prayed for her, the Lord has brought to mind for me. I had no idea I was praying for myself. I also remembered today something Brian Smallwood said years ago. He said, "Your own personal victories weaken the stronghold over your region."

So today I did it. I removed the flirt as a friend on Facebook. While my girlfriend told me that I didn't owe him an explanation, I offered one anyway. He completely understood and promised to honor my wishes.

Even though it was really hard, and I'm a little sad that it's all over, I'm also relieved. I write this in hopes that it will encourage someone--anyone--who is in the middle of a raging battle, to prove their loyalty and remain "steady on all the battlefield."

Francis Schaeffer says, "When the apostle warned us to 'keep [ourselves] unspotted from the world,' he was not talking of some abstraction. If the Christian is to apply this injunction to himself he must understand what confronts him antagonistically in his own moment of history. Otherwise, he simply becomes a useless museum piece and not a living warrior for Jesus Christ."

While "you can't touch pitch and not be mucked," it is possible to confess your sins and find mercy, strengthen yourself in the Lord, and overcome the evil one:

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9.

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Psalm 118:14.

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2.

1 John 2--the whole chapter.

If you've read this far, please pray for us and for your friends who are married. It's not an easy ride, but it's well worth it.

Square-foot Gardening with Papa and Nana, part 2

Our new square foot gardens are courtesy of "Papa," my resourceful, ingenious, newly retired Dad. Someone loaned him a book about how to do square foot gardens, and he devoured it. Since we've always wanted to garden but didn't know the first thing about getting started, he set us up right! He used an old, broken trampoline for the trellis. Almost everything he used he already had laying around. We're looking forward to cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, garlic, onions, potatoes, carrots, beans, basil, marjoram, thyme, and a few other things that I can't remember. We also have room for more!

The soil is a mixture of peet moss, vermiculite, and compost. It's supposed to be virtually weed-free because there's a ground cover that helps to prevent weeds from the bottom and there's nothing in the soil except the veggie/herb seeds. We'll see how it goes . . . Dad is pretty excited about it, and so are we!

Thank you Papa and Nana for a fabulous day outside! Miriam points to the garden every day and says, "That's our garden! Nana and Papa did that! We did that!" I love it!

Square-foot Gardening with Papa and Nana