Home Sweet Home...

OH THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS...

FOR NO MATTER HOW FAR AWAY YOU ROAM...

WHEN YOU PINE FOR THE SUNSHINE OF A FRIENDLY GAZE...

FOR THE HOLIDAYS YOU CAN'T BEAT HOME SWEET HOME!

Home for me is New York, and that is where I will be for the next week so that means that I will be taking a tiny "blogcation" with lots to share when I get back!

"Thank God for His Son-A gift too wonderful for words!"

(2 Corinthians 9:15)

Have An Amazing Christmas!

Love,

G.

A New Development...

As a rule on my blog, I generally don't share a lot personal things on here. Just because I like to keep it light and fun, and some things I just don't think is necessary to share with the world wide web. But, this post will be different. It's a little bit of an update on what's been going on with me personally, health-wise.

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease. It sounds worse than it is but, it is still a bit of a bummer. Celiac Disease (in case you don't know) is basically an allergy or sensitivity to gluten which, unfortunately is in everything. How did I find this out? Well, here is the story...

I've always had mild issues with my stomach but, just chalked it up to stress. Now that I look back, I can almost pinpoint when it started. For the last several months I had been dealing with extreme exaustion, I mean the "I can't even take one foot out of my bed kind of exaustion" everyday. I was also having migraines, nausea and abdominal pain and burning. It got to the point where I thought maybe I was pregnant because I was nauseous so much but, I wasn't. So, after this would not go away, I decided (with my husband's prompting) to see a Doctor. After 4 or 5 visits, he could not figure anything out, and I was still feeling awful so, he sent me to see a Gastroenterologist. Right away, he asked me all of my symptoms, sent me for a blood test and scheduled an endoscopy test (a test where they look at your stomach via a tube down your throat). Before my E test the Doctor came in and said "just as I suspected, your blood test was very high for celiac disease." And I was like "thanks for telling me right before you sedate me, doc." So, they took a biopsy of my small intestine to check for definite signs of celiac. So, that night I went home and thought "geez, if this is real then this Italian girl is gonna starve." I waited on pins and needles for the test results to arrive. When they finally did, it was consistent with celiac.

So, I am feeling 2 ways. 1: I feel good now that I know what has been making me sick. In fact, I can look back and remember several occasions and think..."that's why I was feeling so bad."

2: I was bummed for the first couple days but, I am not discouraged. I've been experimenting with a bunch of different foods and have even received some support from others who have it.

For the last week and a half, I have been eating gluten-free and can say I have had way less stomachaches, no headaches, and a ton of energy...even my husband noticed!

So, now this may become a part of my blog, in an effort to maybe help others with this as well. I hope to post some GF recipes and info about Celiac Disease. If any of you out there live Gluten-free too, I'd love to know who you are.

Right now, I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna make it through the Holidays...very creatively I think. :) Thank The Lord for Trader Joe's and Whole Foods!

It's GOOD News!

*Disregard the date on this post, not sure why it says it's Sunday. :)

All you have to do is walk into a shopping mall to figure out that we have it all wrong during the Holidays. That statement was not meant as a judgement but, more as an observation. Friday afternoon I went to the mall to run a few errands and was bombarded by crowds of unhappy people and kiosk workers trying to sell me ridiculously expensive body products, hair extensions, and various other things I do not need. A sadness came over me. These people really don't know what this is all about. How would they, really? This is how America celebrates Christmas. We run ourselves ragged trying to buy the "latest something" for "Jimmy" or the cashmere cardigan for "Sue." We're too busy to even smile at anyone or say "excuse me" when you run into someone in a cramped store aisle. We're too focused on ourselves to help the elderly woman who just knocked over a store display with her walker or even help her with her packages. Why are we so timid when it comes to kindness? We want others to be kind to us, right? Now, don't get me wrong, in years past I have been an example of the very thing I am talking about and am not proud of it. I have been wrapped up in all the "to do" of Christmas and have forgotten about what it really is all about. Why do we give gifts? Why do we decorate our homes, have parties and sing Christmas carols? Well, I can't tell you why you do it because I am not you but, I can tell you why I do it.

Over the last couple of years the Lord has done something different in my heart regarding Christmas. I was always concerned about "the perfect gift" making tons of cookies and throwing the best party. Honestly, it totally stressed me out, and who wants that? I decided I needed a heart change, and the only one in the business of changing hearts is Jesus. You see, Christmas marks the occasion when GOD SENT JESUS IN THE FORM OF A BABY TO BE THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! He came to save the world! He saved the world by dying on the cross for our sins, all of the horrible things we have done, and he did it for us out of obedience to God and great love for us. If he wasn't born, how could he have died, then where would we be? For me, that changes everything. Here is what the Angels said to the Shepherds the night that Jesus was born...

"Don't be Afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior-yes, The Messiah, the Lord- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize Him: you will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" Suddenly the angel was joined by a vast host of others- the armies of heaven- praising God;

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors."

-Luke 2:10-14

So, when I think about what the angel said to the shepherds "I bring you good news!" I think, "good news shouldn't stress you out." I'm not saying that we shouldn't buy gifts or have parties, or make cookies, or those types of things, those are all a fun and wonderful part of Christmas. What I am saying is that for me personally when I focus on those things alone and not on Jesus, my focus becomes blurred. I want to make the reason I do all of those things because I am celebrating Jesus and wanting to give because I was given to...the greatest gift, the gift of Life in Jesus Christ. It should be an exciting time of love and togetherness celebrating this gift of love given to us. The only way the world will know is if we tell them! So, I have an idea...lets think of some ways where we personally can show Jesus to someone this Christmas. It doesn't have to be a gift that costs money, maybe it's smiling at someone, letting someone have a really good parking spot that you wanted, helping a young mom with her hands full of grocery bags, there are a lot of things we could do. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment...and have a blessed and restful Holiday season.

P.S. If you're interested, Simple mom has some great tips on reducing extended-family stress during the Holidays...Check it out!

The Fam 2009...My 300th Post!

A new friend of ours that Kent met in the park happened to be a photographer and he offered to set up a time to take our family pictures that we usually have done annually. Here are some of them...

On the steps of Memorial Chapel at Harvard University.

Hahvad Yahd. :)

This newsstand is right in the middle of Harvard Square.

We chose Harvard University and Harvard Square as the backdrop for our photos because we wanted them to reflect where God has called us and our heart for the city and the students at Harvard.

My Babies....

...are growing so fast.

October 2009

Brown Sugar Body Scrub...

Have you ever tried those wonderful sugar scrubs that you can get from Bath and Body works and other stores that sell bath and body goodies? Well, I found a recipe to make your own. The best part is, you probably already have all of the ingredients in your kitchen. There are many other recipes but, many of them have different ingredients that I didn't have on hand. I thought maybe it would be a great gift to give for Christmas but, first I wanted to make sure it worked. I made a batch this morning and used it on my hands, and I love it. I think I'll leave it on my kitchen sink to just use on my dry hands. The one thing I will say is that the vanilla extract is very subtle in this. I was thinking of getting a different scented essential oil to use, maybe peppermint or something "Christmas-y." I hope you try this. Let me know if you do.

Here's the link...

Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe

The First Of December...

Well, it's December 1st, and while New York is white, we are not. It is a bit chilly, but no snow. I don't mind, as long as we have a few flurries grace us with their presence by Christmas then I will be alright.

I've spruced up my blog a little for Christmas. I also put my Christmas Playlist on as well. I know blog music can be annoying to some people so, If you are one of those people, just scroll to the bottom and turn it off. :) Also, I know it's been awhile since I've consistently blogged but, if you stop by, please say hi. I'd love to know who you are!