2010

2010 in Review


Hello and Merry Christmas to all! Thanks for visiting this blog to read about the past year for the Truitt family. It has been a quick year. Time seems to have sped up more than usual this past year. But all in all it has been a great year and one that holds many happy memories for us.

When I look back on the beginning of 2010, John was using crutches and beginning physical therapy twice a week. He worked hard at home, doing an hour of exercises each day. In March, John was released from P/T and was told to run and play and be a kid. Through doing this, his right calf muscle has grown and will continue to grow over time. We are so pleased with his progress. He was able to run the mile run at school this year and plays regular soccer games with his father and brother (and believe me, they can be brutal.)

















John also began middle school this past fall and loves it. He loves the variety of the classes and the material they are learning. Science is his favorite class. With being in middle school, John's calendar of youth events really filled up as well. He loves being a part of the youth group at church and the Christian club at school. He's also playing the saxophone in band and singing in chorus this year.



























Josiah began his year being his brother's helper and praying lots for John's recovery. He also played Upward Basketball in the winter and Upward Football in the fall. He wants to try wrestling, ice hockey, soccer, karate, etc., etc., etc. He really enjoys his sports. He is very passionate and determined in all that he does. He works hard at his schoolwork and is very interested in spelling every possible word he can think of. Josiah will be getting baptized on Jan. 2 this year.


















Highlights of the year for our family:

-Coordinating the Broad Street Talent Show
-Monthly Kidjam productions at Elmwood Elementary
-Coordinating a block yardsale
-Balloon decorating jobs (doing arches and columns for weddings and special events)
-Fellowship of Christian Magicians' Conference in Indiana
-3 weeks In Delaware/Ocean City, MD
-Balloon parties, teaching classes, grand openings, programs
-visit from the Children's Home Director in Mexico
-small group Memorial Day camp-out

















For Beth:
-going to Zumba
-the Women's Retreat at McBIC
-Beautiful Ones Conference at Global Awakening
-participating in the Healing Prayer Ministry at church
-Jump Team




















For Dave:
-Coordinating the Engage Children's Ministry Conference at West Shore E-Free
-twisting balloons twice/month at Red Robin
-Volunteering at the Orange Conference in Atlanta
-Continuing to work as Children's Pastor at McBIC and getting to share God's love with the kids and families there








For John:
-trip to DC for his 12th birthday





















For Josiah:
-laser tag party for his 9th birthday

A highlight for the boys:
They had their first balloon job without their parents when they twisted at the Fairy Festival put on by the Rosemary House. They did great!







We also had some sweet visits with our extended families and really enjoyed those times.

God has been moving in exciting ways at our church and in our community. It has been incredible to have a front row seat to witness the healings and freedom that people are finding in Christ. It has been a huge faith builder and hope builder for me to see God's power in greater and also very personal ways. I am excited to see what He will do this year. Nothing is beyond His ability. Nothing is impossible with Him. I pray that whatever you are facing this season, that you would look up and reach out your hand and allow God to meet you and love you right where you are. He loves you so much, and He does not disappoint! He is always there for us.

Christmas blessings,




The Truitt's

Short and Sweet

Well, the title describes two things: one - this post and two - my visit today. Today was a much needed trip to the Lancaster outlets. It was much needed because it has been 3 months since I have seen my mom. We meet up at Rockvale, do some shopping, have lunch at Panera and shop a little bit more. Then I jump in the van at the last possible moment and drive home. We did some leisurely shopping and got some Christmas gifts today. It was a very nice time. I think we probably could've stayed until 9 PM when they close and it would still feel like we need longer to shop and to talk. Yep, a good day. I'd do it all again tomorrow if I could.

A Day in the Life

So today I am feeling the desire to log about what I do during the day. This is partly to put some permanent record in place to remind me of what a "typical" day looks like at this stage of our life when I later have the opportunity to look back on it. It is also an attempt to try and find a common thread amidst all the whirlwind and chaos that seems to pull me into its swirl. Perhaps a sense of purpose will emerge. Perhaps not. Perhaps a more streamlined approach to what I do will become evident. Regardless of the outcome, here begins my detailed log of this day so far:

The alarm went off at 6 AM. I was in the midst of a dream which I could not repeat for you now, but it was enough for me to want to hit the snooze and try and get back to that place. Of course, it doesn't take much for me to want to hit the snooze button. HA!

After getting up and showering, a little knock on the door let me know that the boys have awoken to their alarm and are shuffling around and in need of entering the little space we all share in our upstairs bathroom. We talk, they hug me to get warm, I hear how tired they are and I give them their space.

I scootch myself down to the kitchen where I attempt to do wonders and defy time in the next 25 minutes. I get out the gluten-free pancake mix and whip up a batch and put them on the griddle. While they are cooking, I begin packing lunches. Today I realize that we are completely out of lunchmeat and there is nothing for Josiah to take with him. I promise to bring his lunch to him later when I come into his classroom to help out. We have much conversation, and I find myself reminding my boys that a sense of urgency might be in order if they are planning to get to school in time. After rushing around a bit, we are out the door. John walks to the end of the block with us and is always the first at his bus stop. (I think he takes after his father in this and I doubt I'll get any argument from the other 3 members of the family). Josiah and I continue to walk the half mile to his school. At grade 3, he still wants his mom to walk him to the school. As I figure this opportunity is going to come to an end in the somewhat near future, I gladly walk with him, get to know some neighbor kids and get in a nice walk in the morning. I even see some friends to chat with on the way home.

Now it's time to take a deep breath and make myself some breakfast. I spend some time worshiping, praying and reading the Bible. Each day this looks a little different as I have difficulty with routine and appreciate variety. Today I read the "Daily Prayer for Freedom" that is in the back of the book, "Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge. Although I like variety, this is one constant that I try to do at least 4 times a week if not more. The prayer puts things into words that I would forget to pray about otherwise. It really fulfills its name, a prayer for freedom. I continue to find spiritual freedom from things clouding my perspective as I read through it, sometimes outloud and sometimes to myself.

Next I respond to emails and spend a little time on facebook. Then Dave and I met to coordinate our schedules for the next month. Our synchronized calendar that we have through Mobile Me is not working properly. I realize that I have grown quite dependent on the calendar program. It is wonderful to have my husband's schedule at my fingertips so that I can make plans and prepare for not only myself and the boys, but for family events as well.

After scheduling, I hustled to make some homemade mayonaise (raw egg, olive oil and salt) and added it to some tuna. Then I put it into a rice paper/noodle and finished Josiah's lunch. By now it was 10:10 and I was supposed to be in his class at 10:15. (Big sigh)...oh well, I'm on my way. I get the tutorial on book talks and sit down to enjoy some time hearing summaries from 3rd grade readers. The kids were all anxious to be chosen and to have the opportunity to tell me what they knew. I learned about chasing tornados, heard stories about a pug, a whimpy kid, 7 chinese brothers, trees that magically transformed you into another time in history, some kids who live in a Boxcar (one of my favorites from when I was a child) and a mouse who is also a dentist, and all the hazards that go along with being a provider of his size. Oh, there were other stories also. As the children read, I flipped through the book to determine how many pages were text and how many were illustrations. The story content was entertaining, but even more entertaining were the varying communication styles that the children used while relaying their knowledge. Some were very intense. Others gave me their summaries in such great detail that I am sure I don't need to read the book myself for more information. Still others said little. Some wanted to tell me how many pages their book had in it, and point out to me that their book has very little drawings. Others weren't even aware of how many pages I listed for them. All in all, they made me smile, brightened up my day and reminded me of the virtue we are learning about in Kidstuf-Uniqueness.

After book talks, I took my place in the back of the classroom for a few minutes, waiting until time for lunch. Woo-hoo! A parent going in for lunch at our school has a special table where they can sit. I took my place at this table and Josiah chose the two friends that are allowed to join him. They are the same two buddies that sat with us last time I went in. I really enjoy Josiah's friends. I can sit with one of them in particular and we can talk and really converse without interruption. There is no awkward silence. They really make me laugh. Today was all about re-enacting some of the moves from the Karate Kid movie which one buddy had just watched last night. I tried to pay attention, but found my eyes and thoughts wandering, observing the dymanics that were taking place at various tables around me. Many kids were trying to find their place to sit, trying to save seats for friends, trying to stay away from other kids. Some kids were sitting with other students, but seemed isolated all at the same time. My heart went out to these kids. I want to be their friend and make them laugh and smile.

So now, I'm home and just finished my own tuna and guacamole combination wrapped in a rice noodle. It was actually very good! I only began eating avacados in the past few years, thanks to my friend Heather's influence, and I love them.

Well, I'm off to run to the grocery store to buy some supplies for an animal cell project that is due this Thursday. We still need some mitochondria...or is it ribosomes?!? I need gummy worms and Dots candy. I wonder how many parents have made these projects over the years. We are making a giant cookie as the base. We preferred that to the $22 styrofoam ball we were looking at that the craft store has available. This one will be more satisfying in the end :)

Hmmm...not a dull moment yet...where will the afternoon take us?

Happy Thursday

A couple of weeks ago we walked in the Mechanicsburg Halloween Parade. We have done this for the past 3 years. We handed out postcards advertising Kidjam, the program we do monthly teaching kids and families different virtues. The guys had a good time wearing costumes that Dave twisted. I have requested that Dave make a costume for me next year. I am giving him plenty of notice. I would like a balloon dress. There is a whole category of balloon fashion out there. Stay tuned for next year....


Well, it is Thursday, Oct. 28 and Trick-or-Treat in our neighborhood tonight. The 6th grader in the family might still be working on homework and doesn't really have a huge desire to go door to door anymore. The 3rd grader in the family might enjoy going door to door, but he can't eat any of the candy he would receive, so that really puts a damper on the fun. So tonight, for the first time in my history as a mother (Ok, maybe since John was 2 :) we will all be staying home and giving candy out as a family.

For those of you feeling great sympathy for Josiah, we did buy him special candy this year. So he will not go without. On the contrary, he will have lots of good stuff. And as I am realizing, this seems to regularly be the case. I think I feel sorry for him for all of the things he cannot eat. So I go overboard and make sure there is always some type of homemade cookie or treat that he can have. The problem with this scenario is that I can eat these items also--and do, in generous quantities. The best time for me to do this (as other parents may be able to relate and attest to) is after the kids have gone to bed. Then I don't need to feel guilty for eating 5 cookies when I am only allowing them 2.

OK, for my large audience out there (or more realistically for the handful of you faithful friends & family members, ha ha) I am giving you the freedom to hold me to this. I am going to start brushing my teeth when the kids go up to bed--and after 8 PM, it is no more eating for me!!!

Where willpower fails, accountability needs to step in.

So back to tonight. We are expecting around 150 kids. Dave likes to buy and give full size candy bars so that the kids feel loved, blessed and welcomed when they come to our house. He actually had a child from the local elementary school remember him as the guy who gives full-size candy bars for Halloween. Sometimes I don't always get Dave's logic on things. But I am realizing that he is part child, part adult, and knows how kids think. Stick with me, stick with me. This really is a gift. I tend to be 100% adult to the extent of being overly serious. Dave has certainly stretched me in this area of my life and has challenged me to see things from a child's perspective. I remember telling my mom that I wanted to marry someone fun. God heard that prayer and sent me Dave.

Ok...it's 1 PM. Now where did I put those cookies?!?

Today is about getting caught up on things at home. The worship music is cranked and I'm making progress. One thing I did was make one of my favorite and oh so simple recipes for our breakfast tomorrow. It is Baked Oatmeal. YUM!

I love this recipe because you can customize baked oatmeal with toppings to make it unique and different, and just the way YOU want it. It might look completely different than the person sitting next to you. Kind of like a salad with different toppings, only yummier :) I also love this recipe because it is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free and peanut-free. Whew! We can eat oats at our house--and we eat quite a few oats at our house--so this works for us. I suppose those who need to avoid any possible contact with gluten would need to avoid oats as well.



So...I began with:

1/2 cup oil
2 eggs beaten
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk or milk alternative
3 cups quick oats

Begin by combining your oil, eggs and sugar in a large bowl. This is a no-mixer recipe, another reason I love it. Just grab a spoon and start stirring. Then add the baking powder, salt and milk and continue stirring. (If you can stir, you can make this recipe!). Finally, add 3 cups of quick oats and...you got it...STIR!










Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.










When this recipe is done and mostly cooled, you can add walnuts, raisins and some type of milk (my favorite combination), peanut butter, applesauce, craisins, bananas, chopped apples, even chocolate chips for more of a dessert. Get creative. There are lots of toppings that could be added. My husband loves his baked oatmeal with vanilla ice cream on it. And yes, he will eat this for breakfast!











A word about ingredients: we recently began using safflower oil. It is high in Vitamin E & antioxidants. I use Almond Breeze for my milk alternative and a natural sugar, like Sugar in the Raw, or sucanat. Finally, I use eggs from free-range chickens so that the Omega 3-6 ratio is much healthier.