First, I can't remember who we've told that we are expecting a baby in April. We decided not to find out the gender of this baby. Matt always wants to be surprised, and I always want to find out, mainly for practical reasons. I really love to purge our closets every spring, but this spring I'll have to wait until after the baby is born. Since I had my way for the last two, I gave in and didn't find out. One person in the family got a little envelope with the gender hidden inside, but I won't tell who.
And here's a few pictures of the kids making cookies together. This usually means I give them the extra dough, and the play with it until it's a sticky mess. But it keeps them busy for hours, so it's well worth the wasted ingredients and clean up.
Another thing I wanted to share with you was a recent discovery I made. After Dorothy was born, my dentist told me that I had cavities in all of my molars and needed 15 fillings, some in teeth that were only filled a year or two ago. Since I brush and floss regularly, and don't eat much sugar, I suspected it must be from mineral deficiency from being pregnant of nursing for the past 5 years. Then a friend told me that there is some evidence that you can remineralize teeth. She also gifted me a bottle of Fermented Cod Liver Oil, which contains vitamins and minerals that our modern diet is often deficient in. I've been taking this supplement for a few months, and noticed that I've had far fewer colds this season that normal. I've also noticed that the depression that I usually get in winter hasn't set in. After doing a little research, I beleive it's because of the high levels of easily absorbed vitamin D in the CLO. I've also noticed that my kids recover very quickly from their colds when they take the CLO( they won't take it on a regular basis, but will when they are sick). So for those interested, check out these articles here and here , or do your own research:
And if you are interested in the Cold Liver Oil, this is the one I take and This is what I give the kids who won't take pill.
We finally rented out our house in Mauldin. The process of screening renters was exhausting, but we have high hopes that the tenants we choose will take good care of the house. I'm so glad to have that over with, at least for a year.
And I think I told all of you that we got a pony for the kids. She was rescued from a starvation situation, but had recovered enough to be out of danger when we got her. Her rescuer couldn't tell me much about her, but did know that she was extremely gentle, and great with kids. After owning her for a few months, we've learned that she is indeed very gentle, and great with kids. However instead of the 9 years old that we had thought she was, she is actually only 4. We think she was broken to saddle, but never had any training beyond that. Ellie is working with her under my direction, and I will also begin working with her after I have the baby. She is quiet enough for the Joseph to ride in the arena, and Blake to ride on our property, or accompanied on the rode. With a little work I am confident that she is going to make an excellent horse for the kids. And if Ellie and Blake show responsibility with her, we will consider getting them another horse this summer or fall so that they can ride together.
