What is the lesson that took me the longest to learn?

To go with my gut, intuition, instincts, little voice inside.  I do often times know what is best for me.  It's not alway easy going against the grain or what society has to say about this or about that.  The truth is this is my life, my journey, my path.  I need to continue to trust my way.
Do Not let anyone tell you your dreams will not come true.  It took me too long to pursue my dream.  I've had the same dream for 35 yrs.

July 4 2013

July 4 we had a family gathering at Roberts house
He grilled for us all. We brought Side dishes & dessert.   I need to photograph Robert grill, he had it custom made. It is a work of art. He is a talented grill master.  My aunt JEAN
Took up donations for fireworks.  I left early because I had to get up early 4:45 a.m.
The next morning.  It was hard getting to sleep because of our neighbors popping fireworks.
My precious Colin woke when they came in to let me know he had the best 4 of July ever.

Colin graduated Thursday May 23, 2013 Memorial Day 2013

We had a great time at his graduation.  Nana, papa, Aunt Karen & Jada also attended.
Memorial Day weekend was uneventful.  Mom went down south to visit family members.
She is working on the family tree & trying to fill in some of the blanks of many great great great greats.
Mom took her small scanner to scan many of the photos those family member possessed.

Colin spend many hours of Monday with dad as he tilled the garden.  Colin went to the basketball game with Aunt Jean, Uncle Nate, Rita, Kenny, & Coweeta.  Hubby really wanted to go but it's just too much walking for him.

We need to find a wheel chair hoist for the car.  He's missing on so much because we don't have an easy way to take his wheel chair.

Easter 2013

We had a great Easter.  We went to church with my parents &  siblings.  It was good to see the family.  We had dinner at my parents after church.  My BIL did the grilling. My sisters did the sides.  I only had to provide food for myself & my son. We have so many food allergies.
Colin's favorite way to eat carrots is Carrot Souffle.

I use this recipe http://allrecipes.com/recipe/carrot-souffle-2/detail.aspx
I sub the butter to make it dairy free DF, I also sub the flour to make it
gluten free GF.  I add a touch of pumpkin pie spice.

Christmas 2012

Journaling for Colin's scrapbook.  This year there have been a few changes.  For some reason I don't have the same Christmas spirit as usual.  I don't really know why but it really doesn't matter.  Normally we have trees all over the house.  This year only 1 tree in the whole house.  The guys sports tree in the family room.  Colin's bedroom tree  & ornaments was brought down out of the attic but never put up.

This year they did not have a school Christmas program.  The principal was unexpectedly hospitalized 2 days before the school break.

Friday 12-21-12 Colin had 3 parties. 1 at school; 1 birthday party at 5:45 then a breakdance Christmas party.  We made all 3 & got an allergy shot after school & before the birthday party.  I knew it would be a busy day; especially after working all week.

Normally Christmas oozes from every area of our home.  I did put the poinsettias in the flower bed along with the candy canes.  Along with the moving deer momma bought for Colin.

He exclaimed when he saw the deer in her yard.  He exclaimed when he saw them move.  He was so excited Nanny bought one for him.

Well Played Mom

I asked Colin to take out the trash & recycling.  He had a bowl of dry cereal in his hand.  He looked at me & said mom I was going to sit down & relax a minute like you.
I said when you finish relaxing can you take it out.  He said OK.  Then he stopped & said mom there is some milk in the car.  Would you like me to go get it before it molds or mildres?  I buy rice dream milk in the unrefrigerated carton.  It doesn't need refrigeration until after it is opened.

I said sure you can bring it in, he headed toward the garage.  I said you can bring it in after you take out the trash & recycling.  He stopped looked at me & said Well played mom, well played.  Then he took out the trash & recycling.

Chocolate Waffles GF SF DF NF

I made Chocolate Waffles for Colin & made a different batch for myself.
I made extra for Colin to heat up during the week & eat for breakfast.  I used Stevia in his ( I don't like the after taste of stevia).  I will purposely use it in items that I don't want to overeat.  I also used flax in Colin's per the Bob's Red Millls Gluten Free Chocolate Waffles recipe.  I also added applesauce for some of the oil & Oat flour instead of the  GF all purpose flour mix.  I thought I had the GF flour mix but had the Oat flour mix.  Colin & I both have egg white allergy so I only used  1 extra large egg.

My recipe adapted from Bob Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Waffles
http://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes.php?recipe=1447

Chocolate Waffles GF SF DF NF (gluten, soy, dairy, & nut free)

• 1 cup GF ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
• 1 extra large organic Egg
• 1/3 cup oil (1/6 c evoo & 1/6 c applesauce) 
• 1/3 cup Sugar (1/6 c stevia & 1/6 organic sugar)
• 1/3 cup Ghiradelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder 
• 2 tsp BAKING POWDER
• 1/2 tsp BAKING SODA
• 1 tsp tapioca starch/flour   I didn't have arrowroot
• 1/2 cup BROWN RICE FLOUR
• 1/2 cup Brown Flaxseeds Meal
• 1 cup Milk RiceDream rice milk

Directions

Serves 4

• Preheat waffle iron.

• Mix the Gluten Free All Purpose Flour, flaxseed meal, brown rice flour, arrowroot starch, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, sugar and salt together well in a mixing bowl.

• Beat the eggs together in a separate bowl, then add milk and oil. Blend wet ingredients into the dry mixture, mix together well. (If it's too dry you can add a bit more milk.)

• Pour the batter into your pre-heated waffle iron, according to the waffle iron directions.

• Serve with butter and syrup (or honey), or hot fruit, or chocolate and powdered sugar! Depending on how decadent your feeling! Enjoy