Memorial Day & Going All Natural

First of all, I wanted to thank all of our troops and veterans for their servie in lieu of Memorial Day yesterday! I realize I am a day late, but hey...

I am priveleged to have 3 particular men in my life that served!! I know many others, and want to sincerely thank them as well, but am going to highlight those 3 here for all to see!!

First there is my grandfather. He passed away last August and is sorely missed. He served in the Air Force as a bomber pilot. I LOVE telling people how he flew missions over Germany and dropped bombs during WWII. He was just the coolest and most awesome man I have ever known!! Here are a couple of pictures of him in uniform. I am thankful to have a lot of pictures of my family.

Lieutenant Colonel, Wayne Eugene Hermann...in the middle.The next man is a particular favorite of mine...MY HUSBAND!!! Here he is as a small child, with a father in the Army, practicing his salute!!

Isn't he the cutest little thing you ever saw? Then here he is, at 17, in his Air Force picture from basic training.

Next, we have my brother in law, Sam! Sam is an officer in the US Army and just left for Iraq a few weeks ago. He is married to Eric's sister and is such a wonderful guy!! Here is a picture of him when he came to visit and meet the girls last September. Lilly was flirting with him big time!!

I just can't thank these guys enough...love you all!! Sam, we are praying for you every day!! Come home safe!! :)

My next topic for the day is about my mother and me!! Woohoo!! First let me say how much I miss this woman! She really was amazing and fantastic! She will be gone now for 13 years next month...wow!

Any of you who knew my mother knows how she was into organic products, whole foods, herbs, and anything else you could find at a health food store. I thought it was neat, but never paid that much attention to it. It was just how we did things. She was very aware of chemicals and harmful things in our food. I think I was too young to really sit down and have her explain why we did some of the things that we did. I honestly didn't care at that point in my life...I was young.

I have laughed at myself so many times since marrying Eric, because I will say in shock that we cannot buy that, or use that...when asked why, I have no idea what to say. I just know that my mom said it was bad and we shouldn't use it.

And honestly, buying organic produce was not at the top of my priority list...UNTIL the twins were born. Now, everything I buy is important. I read EVERY SINGLE label. I was just eating some cheerios at the dining room table a while ago, and thinking to myself, "I wonder how healthy, these really are?" Then I picked up and read the ingredients on a can of frosting that I will be using for the girls first birthday party cupcakes. I thought to myself, "I wonder if WalMart will take these back without a receipt."

I now own a breadmaker, so I can be sure that what goes into my bread is healthy for my babies. Two weeks ago, I threw out all of our cleaning products and now make my own...by the way, cleaning with natural stuff ROCKS!!! I am not saying I am an expert or anything, but I suddenly really wish I could talk to my mom and learn from all of her experiences and research. And for the first time in my life, I want to plant a garden. :) I am loving this side of me and it makes me feel closer to my mom and grandma, even if they are in heaven!

The girls still like babyfood, but we are transitioning them into table food slowly. I only use whole grain pasta and am trying to find good produce, if I am unable to find organic. They absolutely love their fruits and veggies, so I want to make sure that the ones they get are the best. Maybe if Eric and I ever move, we will move to a town with a Whole Foods Market!! I miss that place.

Later on today, I am going to post another entry on all natural cleaning products, organic produce, and homeade goats milk soap. I can't wait to learn all about this stuff and teach my girls early on...

Here are a few pictures of my mother and I!! Wasn't she gorgeous? :)

Decorating for Christmas together...one of our favorite things to do!