Birth Without Fear through a Photographers Eyes

I'll start out by saying this post is long over due.You know I've thought about this day so often and more so recently. I think because of the Holidays. Looking deep into my soul and talking to Jesus about things going on in our life and thanking him for what he has blessed me with. This day was one of those days that I am very, very thankful to be a part of.

I will be forever honored that I was able to photograph his birth -DAY!

 
This sweet boy entered the world on July 26th at 3:50 pm. A day I will never ever forget and will forever cherish. Meet Olaf Benjamin Sahlstrom.


This is Naomi's story, in photograph form (as most of you know that's how I like to do things...picture style) so it is Naomi's story but it became my story because as I said before, it was a day that forever changed my life.

I am going to start out by saying this "every good and perfect gift is from above" -James 1:17 and there couldn't be any better words to describe little Ole than words from that verse!

My favorite way of sharing life is through photographs, so I am going to share a few of my most favorites... the whole incredible  and miraculous birth story, you should need to click right HERE and read it for yourself. Because it is simply AMAZING.

I arrived at Naomi and Ben's house around 1:30 pm when the Birthday Party was beginning.. and when I say Birthday Party, I mean birthday party!
As you can see below! Even followed with ice cream! As I said a little bit ago, you will NEED to read this incredible birth story on Naomi's blog :)
Follow along and enjoy this beautiful birth story of precious little Ole.

Naomi and Ben just hours before their son arrived. What an amazing couple!

Naomi and Diane the midwife, this Lady... She's a true blessing from the Lord.

this photo was taken just 2 hours before baby was born

this is my sweet hunny! Just 2 months old she took a snooze the entire time of labor and delivery

remember the ice cream I told you about!!!

Me and sweet little Ole :)

This water birth at home, it was 100% birth without fear (and this is Naomi's first baby). It was a birth and labor put completely into God's hands.
When I told you that Naomi's story became my story, because as you can see in these pictures words just can't describe the way that day went down but I can tell you one thing, God's presence was there, it was so real, so amazing. To be a part of something so incredible is something I will forever be thankful for!

Psalm 37:4-5 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your hearts desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD, Trust him and he will help you.

Seeing God's Goodness and Be THANKFUL!

I woke up this morning and for the first time in two weeks felt at peace, my stomach was not doing flips, I was not a tense ball of nerves and my mind was at rest.
Life. Seems so perfect so wonderful and in a blink of an eye it can all be turned upside down. God brings you to your knees. That is what happened to me a few weeks ago.
It is painful and breaks my heart. Now as a mommy I have to make a choice how I am going to handle those painful moments. I can either let it define me. Let it destroy me. Or let it strengthen me.
I am choosing option number 3 and with God's help I know this will strengthen me and my family.
God doesn't promise for our life to be easy but he does promise to never leave us, to never forsake us and with God all things are possible.
My life is far from glamorous. With broken relationships and family so close yet so far, it could be very easy to get caught up in those things to let Satan twist my thoughts and feel bad for myself (I like to call this.. "stinkin thinkin" but these are the moments when I pull God the closest to me and that's when he shows me his Goodness and his love for me and I am so thankful.
I may be considered the "momarazzi" (my definition of "momarazzi" is... a mom taking photos of God's love and Goodness and each photo taken I give thanks for that moment.)
but you know what, I love that. I love to find joy in everyday to capture those moments that fill my soul with love and laughter. Finding joy and capturing moments really helps me stay away from that "Stinkin Thinkin".

This year has been one incredible year solely because of the Lord and his goodness. He has provided and blessed us in ways that we don't deserve.

A few of my "Momarrzi" Moments
throughout the year.
Life on the farm 

God provides in marvelous ways. My childhood dreams were answered and we bought a farm in January 2013! We have had an amazing year here soaking up every minute! We are reminded of God's love for us daily when waking up to breath taking sunrises. There are so many rewarding things that we are enjoying and loving so much since being on the farm...

the fruits and veggies from the garden, canning, all of our farmyard pets, watching the miracle of birth, homesteading: eggs from our chickens, milk from our goats, meat from our chickens that we butchered ourselves, dinners from our farm, homemade bread and meals from the garden, endless hours of learning, harvest, meals with family and friends, making probiotics (from our goats milk)

The miracle of birth and life and the grace of God. Gracelyn Joy Gniffke joined our family May 15, 2013 at our home. Praise be to Jesus. God is so good.

Our 5th wedding anniversary (details will be in another post) but I am so thankful to be married to my best friend the man of my dreams who and he so gratuitously puts up with my style of parenting allowing me to bring along our 6 month old baby on our anniversary getaway!

I am so very, very thankful to have a husband who works so incredibly hard for our family so that I can stay at home and raise our kids. I am also so very thankful for my at home business that has gone so incredibly well.

After 3 very long years a miracle happened. This happened. For the first time ever my whole family ate a dinner together. By the grace of God alone my dad and I reconciled. My kids met their grandpa.

This could get long so I will also save the rest for another post. But God IS GOOD and God provides and God does miracles.  

And finally I am so very, very thankful for this past year. I have gotten to spend everyday with this sweet girl. I know that will change next year but I can't even put into words how grateful I am for the time and the memories that she and I and our family have made together.

This Thanksgiving I treasure these moments, these memories, my family and my Savior for the wonderful things he has done and provided for our family.
Thankful for the gift of finding joy in everyday to see God's Goodness and find joy in it.

I challenge you if you're not a "momarazzi" and you are struggling with things in life, each day take a picture when you see an example of God's love. Look for it, but you won't have to look far and it won't be hard to find because it is all around you.

From our family to yours, we wish you a very very Happy Thanksgiving!! :) 

Why QUINOA?

It's Friday night. The house is so quite. All the kiddos have been sleeping for almost 2 hours now (can you believe it? Well it's true!)  We even got our Friday family night pizza and movie night in :)
How crazy your life can change in aspects to what is "fun". This. sitting here. in the coziness of my house. is the only place I want to be right now. writing this blog post. right now. Yes. on a Friday night. waiting for my hubby to get out of the shower so we can cozy up and watch a movie together.

I've had a few people ask me lately for some of my favorite Quinoa recipes and also wonder why we eat it so often well read on and enjoy :)

 

Quinoa is NOT a grain.

But it is...a Super Food and..

• Fruit of a brown leaf plant, same family as spinach and beets
• Known as one of the worlds healthiest foods
• Has an incredible amount of protein
• Ranked as one of the top 10 muscle building foods
• Helps with weigh loss (leaves you feeling fuller longer)
• High in Vitamins E, B2, B6, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium
• Reduces high blood pressure and prevents heart diseases
• High in Antioxidant's
• Beneficial in your immune system.
• migraine patient--> quinoa is also said to help immensely, since it contains high levels of riboflavin

HAS NO... Gluten. Cholesterol. Trans Fat.

and... Quinoa is super easy to make. Just 15 min. (Cooks almost the same way as rice but 1/2 the time)
1.Rinse before cooking.
2.Combine 1 cup of Qunioa to 2 cups of water in pan.
3.Cover and cook on medium heat for 10 min.
4.After 10 min. turn off heat. DO NOT UNCOVER sauce pan.
5.Keep on burner for 4-7 min. Fluffier texture keep covered longer.
*Quinoa almost will triple in style.
*Can use vegetable or chicken stalk to cook in to add flavor otherwise you water
Can be stored in fridge for up to 1 week.
Very versatile. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack.

A few Quinoa Favorite Recipes...

Fried Vegetable Quinoa:
2 cups of Cooked Quinoa
In sauce pan-
drizzle Olive Oil
Add fresh veggies (I like broccoli, carrots, corn, onion and mushroom)
Sprinkle on some garlic and onion powder, Himalayan salt (or sea salt)
Sauté (15 min or so)
Add your cooked Quinoa to the sauce pan
Add some coconut oil or butter
Simmer for 5 min

Quinoa Hotdish:
2 cups of Cooked Quinoa
1 lb ground hamburger (cooked) can use ground Turkey
Corn (and any other veggies you like, peas, beans, zucchini)
Lawyers seasoning salt (I use this when browning the hamburger)
1 can of Pasta Sauce
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Italian Seasoning
combine in large stock pot and simmer for 15-20 min
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top before serving

 

DIY Baby Food

With an bountiful harvest from garden this fall after lots and lots of canning came the baby food makin!
Miss Gracelyn makes baby #4 for our family but can any of you relate with me when I say I feel like I'm a first time mom sometimes. On so many occasions I'm pulling out my journals from the previous kiddos.
Well here we are again...baby food.  Gracie's showing major interest in our food.
I mean she's doing ANYTHING possible to get whatever we are eating or drinking.
She's only 6 months old. WOAH. Time just needs to slow down. I just want to enjoy snuggling her and nursing her I'm not sure I'm ready to have 4 hungry kiddos sitting at the table and the mess from babies learning how to eat... yikes. Well I better get ready for it because the time is here.

Here I find myself in my kitchen. The spot the I spend most of my time (I'm working on getting my hubby to build me a peninsula so I will be 100% in love with the spot I spend so much time in, check back to see if we make progress on that!)

Baby wearin and baby food makin

Also, is it possible to spend time in your kitchen without the huge aftermath from a tornado that came through?
Sticky, slimy, water spilled, peelings everywhere but that smell of fresh cooked veggies it cannot be beat. And knowing exactly what is put into Gracie's mouth from her baby food is one of the best things I feel that I can give her. Also I really think this homemade baby food has to taste better to her since it's fresh and it's made from scratch from the earth from God. Oh and one more thing, the texture... I love being able to make the texture just right.
So the mess, the time, the process it's all 100% worth it to me to make homemade baby food (not to mention the savings from making my own baby food).
 NOTE: You don't need any fancy baby food makers to make your own baby food. I use my super awesome Oster Fusion Blender (thank so to Teah for the awesome gift!) You can also use a food processor and some food just a fork!

 DIY BABY FOOD... Trust me, you can do this!

Below is how I made Gracelyn's carrots.

Get this book! Link at the bottom!

#1. Wash & Peel

 

#2. Cook the carrots until soft 

 #3. Cut them up and put them in the blender, I poured a little of the water in with the carrots from the pot.

#4. Pour puree into ice cube trays

#5. Put ice cube trays into freezer (takes 15-20 min to firm)  

#6. Pop frozen food out of trays and put into freezer zip lock baggies.

(They slide right out)

 

 

There you go! You got this, and your baby will benefit from the freshness of homemade baby food!

Preparing meals yourself doesn't mean you have to spend hours and hours in the kitchen. You can set a few hours aside each week to make the supply that you would like.
 It also doesn't mean that you'll never reach for a jar of store bought baby food on days where you are super busy or in a pinch but making fresh baby food straight from your kitchen, nothing can be better! 

I really love this book --> The Baby & Toddler Cookbook it has over 90 recipes and it's loaded with nutritional information.

KoMbUcHa!

Kombucha. Yep. We're brewin it here on the homestead.

Yes. This fermented  tea drink. Cream of sugar with your tea?? Or how about bacteria!? Yes, I said bacteria. But it's the good stuff.

Before you go thinkin I've gone off the deep end read further to see why I love it so much!Besides the fact that the word Kombucha is just fun to say, Here are a few benefits of KOMBUCHA...

• Lots of probititcs 
• Detoxification
• Joint Care
• It's great for immune boosting
• Aid in digestion & gut health
• Helps with constipation 
• Aid in liver function
• Helps with acne
• At home remedy for: headache, fatigue and hypertension
• less stress MORE ENERGY (as a momma of 4 more energy is always welcomed)
• Tea is vegan, gluten free and contains NO GMO's

Whats the big deal about probiotics anyways? Well if you're not consuming probiotics on a daily basis you need to be and here's why...they help fight colds, lower cholesterol and promote a healthy gut, alleviating issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and food allergies.

The tea is ancient: dates back to 2,000 years old to China. It was regularly consumed to remedy inflammatory ailments such as arthritis and thought to ward off cancer. 

Kombucha contains: probiotics, vitamin B and vitamin C, organic enzymes and vital amino acids 

So here's how the process goes.  (Thank you to Teah for this awesome recipe)

Boil 4 cups of water (put in a 1 GALLON jar with no metal)

Add 4-6 bags of tea (Mostly black with 1-2 Green tea)
Let sit for 5-7 min

Remove tea bags (don't use any metal utensils)

Add 1 CUP of SUGAR *(yes 1 cup. don't CHEAT!)
NOTE: Don't try to skip out on the sugar. IT IS A MUST! Most of the sweet stuff is fermented out leaving one or two grams per 8oz. serving. So in perspective, that's significantly less sugar than soda and most other bottled drinks like green tea and lemonade. 

Stir until sugar is dissolved. Fill vessel most of the way with purified water (leave 1-2 inches from the top for breathing room)

SCOBY: There it is. Put this baby right on the top and the starter liquid (make sure tea is cool before adding the SCOBY otherwise the heat will kill the SCOBY)!

Cover with cloth and rubber band.
Set in a warm location out of light and let sit for 7 days (I have let mine sit for 14 days)

After 7 day, or when you are ready to taste your Kombucha Tea, gently insert a straw beneath the SCOBY and take a sip.  If too tart, then reduce your brewing cycle next time.  If too sweet, allow to brew for a few more days.  Continue to taste every day or so until you reach your optimum flavor preference.  Your own Kombucha Tea Recipe may vary.

 Bottling KOMBUCHA

We are making raspberry kombucha. Add rasperberries to the bottom of the jars

Remove SCOBY and 1 cup of the tea (I put this into a small mason jar)
Use a funnel and pour into your jars)
Let sit on counter for up to 4 days (longer it sits the more carbonation it will have). Then refrigerate

And woohla! There it is. DELICIOUS! Drink as desired but recommended to drink 4oz a day.

CARING FOR SCOBY

Keep 1 cup of finished kombucha pour this over top of SCOBY and cover with cloth and rubber band.
Best to start another back right away. 

Well folks, there you have it! If you're in need of some SCOBY I have some extra that I'd love to share :)