My little girl, all grown up!

This is bitter sweet for me.

More bitter than sweet.

Our children come in to our lives so sweet an innocent. So dependant on us for everything. They're adorable babies and we just can't wait for them to start talking, or walking. Then it happens and they start running...away from you and they fight because they don't want to be carried, they want to walk, and always when you're in a hurry.

You can't wait to see how they mature and how they're able to use their manners and be polite. When they say "thank you" or "please" on their own, you're so proud!

They spend the night at a friends house and you're just petrified that they'll miss you, and they don't, because you've raised an independant little person.

The first day of school comes and again, you think, "How will she last all day without her Mother?" and she does.

You attend each performance that they're ever in if it's sports, or marching band competitions, or emsemble competitions, or parades (if they let you) or concerts because you want to be there to support everything they do.

You become an overprotective Mother as soon as they have their first date or want to spend time with a "friend" because you know what YOU were like at that age, and you also know what it's like to have your heart broken.

You cringe at the thought of them getting behind the wheel because accidents can happen and they might get hurt. You try to be patient while they learn the "rules of the road" as they scare the crap out of you because they "didn't see that stop sign".

Now, here it is...Jaime has a job!

I already cry at the thought of her going off to college but I know that there is so much more that will happen between now and then.
I love you, Jaime and I am so proud of you!
Mom

Medieval Feast 2009

Last weekend was Medieval Feast, a dinner and performance put on by the Shelton High School Highclimber Marching Band. The kids and parents work really hard to put this all together to raise funds for the students band accounts. It's a fun community event that alot of people look forward to each year.

Jaime and Natalie performed at tables for tips. There are other fund raising opportunities throughout the night such the opportunity to purchase the beautiful crown, as seen here on Lily.

Lily had a good time watching her BFF Jaime. They love to have their picture taken together and make funny faces, like true BFF's do.

This poor soul was being lead to the stockade.

You are all invited next year!

Just Say No to Wheat

I just wanted to post this for anyone who has a chronic problem that has had no cure, or seems not to.

I want to tell you my story. I have had chronic cystic acne for OMG, probably 30 years. I have tried antibiotics, Accutane, Murad, Proactiv, and every other product that is a skin "cure". Trust me, I've tried it all. Accutane, which is touted as a wonder drug for acne is a prescription that you take for about 6 months, until your skin clears, then you never have to take it again, and you're cured for life. I've tried it 3 times. HA!

So for the longest time I've wished for clear skin and never had it. I usually end up with one week out of the month with clear skin. The rest of the time I have painful bumps (cysts) that will go down, but not away. I also, and Don will verify this, get angry for no reason. Like, I don't care about anything angry. I first noticed this phenomenon when I would have a high carb day.

So after doing some research, I came across a website mentioning cystic acne could be a result of wheat (gluten) intolerance. Not neccessarily an allergy, but an intolerance.

Now, I'm not a Doctor, but sometimes you try different things and finally find something that seems to work.

A few days before the end of the year I decided, "I have nothing to lose" and cut wheat from my diet. Within a week my cysts disappeared! My skin cleared! I was no longer in a "fog" every day and finally clear and happy! No anger! Phew. What a relief!

I read a few books regarding wheat intolerance and I had thought I read that yakisoba noodles were rice noodles, not wheat, so I had Miako Teriyaki for lunch on Thursday. Friday I woke up and said "wow. you look like crap!" I had new break outs-just zits, not cysts (thank goodness) and again, Don can verify, I was mad. All day.

I had no clue why this was happening. I was thinking, "what the hell??" Maybe I really don't have an intolerance. (sigh) I really don't have an answer for my problem. (big heavy sigh)
So we go to Safeway, and Don says, "Hey, lets get some yakisoba for dinner." OK! Hey! Something I can eat! So we go over, pick up a package, read the ingredients and the FIRST ingredient is WHEAT!! I could have died. All the work I have done to be "wheat free"... lost in an afternoon lunch. Oh, not only lunch on Thursday, but left-overs for lunch on Friday, so TWO days of wheat! SHIT! That explains it! That explains the break-outs, the anger! I'm a believer. I really am.

My sister, Kim, is a nurse at a pediatric allergy and asthma clinic. I talked with her about this and she said that there are alot of diet related allergies that go undiagnosed for years. Doctors generally look toward medications and not what's going on inside. It's suspected that 1 in 7 people have a wheat (or gluten) intolerence.

Moral of the story...many, many people have wheat sensitivities and don't even know it! Many chronic illnesses stem from allergies and go undiagnosed for years, or a lifetime!
Many problems associated with an intolerence include, but are not limited to: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, acne and skin problems, sinusitis, heart palpitaitions, joint pain, irritability, etc.

Amazing, isn't it? If you're having a chronic problem, it certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a try!

It's only been a few weeks for me, but I feel better and enjoy my clearing skin. I'm going to continue to be wheat free and I'll keep you posted as to the outcome.



FYI~ There is a gluten free store at 5739 Littlerock Rd in Tumwater called GF Joe's. I found pancake mix, rice based pizza crust, cookie mix and more.

Happy New Year!

We had a great evening ringing in the new year with the Bennett Family. We certainly don't party like we used to, but we party like we want to with friends and family.
I'm thankful for everything in 2008, be it good or bad. It's all a learning experience.

We added Jack and Allegro to our family.















We'll miss Pepper.















Business has been better, but we've met a lot of wonderful people this year and are thankful for all of our clients.

Here's to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.

Welcome Allegro

Welcome little Allegro to the Sparks family!

Jaime has always wanted a kitten. Every pet we've had since Jaime was born has been an adult or at least not a "baby". Jake, Abby and Jasper were older than Jaime. Then we adopted her cat Lucy when she was full grown. Then there was Pepper and now Jack.
For Christmas we put a Beanie Baby cat in a box and told Jaime she could trade it for a real one when she was ready. By noon the next day we had adopted Allegro.
She and Jack get along great already. He licks her face and she throws herself at him for it.



We're happy to have her. She's a great fit for our family! Congratulations on your new addition, Jaime!