No Ice Cream?!

Apparently Phoebe doesn't like it when I eat dairy products. Lat week, after several post-feeding bouts of fussiness and spitting up everything--many bouts of which took place in the evenings when I would have preferred to have been sleeping--I came to the conclusion that I was eating something that made my milk unpleasant for Phoebe. I did some research and experimented with a few things and my conclusion is that milk products are a no go for me if I want a happy child and to get sleep at night.

This is proving to be slightly problematic. At first I didn't think it would be and I told myself: "Okay, no big deal. I prefer almond milk instead anyways." But then I started trying to live dairy-free and I was like: "Okay, actually this is a BIG deal!" Dairy is everywhere and in everything! Yogurt (I eat it on about 30% of my days). Cheese (it's in my salads, quesadillas, sandwiches, pastas, burritos, cheesecakes, I could keep going here...). And of course, it's the bulk of what makes up ice cream which happens to be proof that God loves us and also my favorite treat in the world. Who knew I loves milk products so much?

Am I bitter? No, but I am kinda' bummed. I mean, sure--I do feel like a cow sometimes because some days it feels like all I do is feed Phoebe, but that didn't mean that I had anything against cows or against the food I got from their milk! I try to console myself by saying that this is an exciting challenge or by telling myself that I now have a reason for why I can't stress eat an entire carton of ice cream in one sitting. This usually works until Jon pulls out the raspberry pretzel dessert I made three nights ago which I can no longer eat because it has cream cheese and whipped topping in it.

I could use a little help! Are any of you out there dairy-free eaters? If so, do you have any tips, tricks, or advice? Any good dairy-free recipes you could share? I'm all ears! Or maybe I should say that I"m all eyes because I'll probably read your advice via comments. Or perhaps instead that I'm all stomach because we're talking about food here. That's all besides the point. Ears, eyes, stomach, or all of the above...please share!

A Very Good Weekend

This weekend was wonderful!

Yea for Cookies made in a Kitchen Aid!

On Friday evening, Jon and I worked on reliving our the first 3 dates that started it all by making cookies and lemon bars to give away to friends. This is what we did on the second date we had with each other (the one where he finally asked me out!!!) It was fun to use our new Kitchen Aid (thank you!) and to spend the evening chilling.

Late Saturday morning/early afternoon Jon and I went to watch my 7th graders play on the school football team. We cheered on my kids, talked to a few before and after their game, and soaked up some sun.

Later that evening I joined Jon for the first half of the BYU v. Texas game down in the Campus Plaza lounge. After the first hour I left him to pick up my friends I made over spring/summer--Emily and Julie--and the three of us crashed my apartment where we played Banana Grams and talked.

Today Jon and I were sustained to serve as the youth Sunday school teachers in our ward. It's a combined class--with all the youth ages 12-18, and we get to teach together. It will be a couple weeks before we get to teach our first class (because of Regional Conference and the Ogden Temple Re-dedication) but we are thrilled and can't wait to start!

This evening we went over to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Milli's house for a delicious homemade Cafe Rio meal! It was the perfect way to break our fasts. After the yummy food we played Banana Grams. We look forward to going back to their place on Thursday evening to watch BYU take on Huston.

Life is busy and so good. Good friends. Good callings. Good food. Good activities. Good family. Good games. Good husband. Good God. More than anything, it was so good to have time this weekend to find a peace and closeness to God that I haven't felt in a long time. I love Him and am grateful that He's always there for me, even when I mess-up and fail and feel like I deserve no second chances. Because of His Son, though, there always is a second chance as long as I'm willing to work for it. I can't wait to face the adventures of the coming week with Him at my side.

Jon and I at the Salem Jr. High football game!