Thank you all for your support on Saturday with our big announcement. This little baby blog received nearly 400 hits that day, which shows me how many people really care about what’s going on with us. Thank you so much.
As many of you know, the Orthodox church has entered the Advent Fast, preparing for Christmas. Our entire church (excluding anyone sick, pregnant or nursing) basically goes vegan for the entire 40+ days. No meat, no dairy (and no soy derivatives or gluten for me). The Advent fast is more lenient than Lent, in that there are quite a few days where we can at least have fish!
Since we will have two new additions to our family by next Saturday, along with all of my dietary restrictions that we’re still figuring out, I will probably be making two dinners for a little while– one for Jesse and I, and one for all 4 boys. Oh well! Time to buy a microwave and cut some corners, in my opinion. Anyone who’s done foster care knows that it is a very different thing than parenting one’s own kids. For instance, even IF these kids were to go “gluten-free” with us, they will be going back to their dad in 5-ish months, most likely. And going BACK on gluten after being off it? It makes your tummy hurt. I wouldn’t want that for these boys. They also get free lunch and breakfast through their school, and while it is relatively healthy (I looked at the menu online), it’s nowhere near gluten free 😉
The bigger reason is that I’ve learned from our past experience to prioritize. When doing foster care, even little logistical things seem harder and more tiring. Being a part of “the system” on an everyday basis, 24-7 means giving up a lot of expectations and personal habits. So, while we will continue to eat as healthfully as we can, I will also be buying and stocking our pantry full of snacks and foods that the boys (and most of America) are used to. I ran into a friend at the grocery store yesterday, and she laughed to see my cart full of Quaker granola bars, cheeze-its and peanut butter crackers, knowing it was hard for me to undo months worth of only buying raw 1-2 ingredient foods.
But you know what? I would rather be present with my family than stress out about what our two new additions will be eating during snack time. I would rather these boys feel safe and comfortable and familiar with the foods they are eating instead of necessarily being as healthy as humanely possible.
So…I’m on the lookout for a cheap microwave. Anyone?
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Soy n’ Mac |
Busy Weekend! |
Kicking off the Fast |
Kerrin says
I bet Black Friday will be your best bet in regards to a microwave. Nice timing!
themrscone says
Such a good idea, Kerrin! Actually I’m hoping that someone else is getting a new one at Black Friday and I can score their old one on Cgslist 🙂
Brooke says
Good prioritizing Kelly! I am planning on doing Black Friday if you want me to look out for a microwave for ya!
themrscone says
I’m only willing to spend around $30! If you find one, call me from that crazy Target line 🙂
Lena says
I’m bummed we didn’t get through our foster care process fast enough for us to do some respite before leaving for Japan- one day I’ll hopefully get to navigate through this like you are.
XO/Lena @ Root&Blossom
themrscone says
Lena, I had no idea you guys were trying to do respite care. Maybe we should start counting the ways in which we are similar 😉