The Domesticated Male

We always knew going into the adoption process would be difficult. We knew as parents it would be hard going from one child to three and we knew there would be adjustment issues for our only child of 5 years to now be a big sister to two other girls. Claudia met the challenge like a champ and has adjusted well. Now to say the adjustment period for parents and for big sister has been rough would be grossly underestimating the full effect. There have been many tears on the part of everyone at various times over various issues. As parents there were tears over attachment issues and behavioral issues related to coming into a new home with a new mom and dad and a new big sister. I am sure for the two 'littles' there have been many issues related to their introduction into the DFCS world and then being placed into two foster homes. We were the second placement for them and are planning for it to be their last. Finally there have been tears from Claudia related, of course, from havi

I created this new shake with several superfoods. It taste good but I don't think I would put all of these ingredients into another shake unless I am needing extreme energy and want to see just how healthy a shake I can create. I think I achieved that goal here... Directions: Blend the following: Kale, Spinach, Coconut Water, Water (1 cup), Flax Seeds, Chia Seeds, Goji Berries , Mulberry Berries and the Vega One Nutritional Shake Mix . Then add the following: Kiwi, Mango, Oranges, Strawberries , Watermelon and Agave. Blend and then add two cups of ice and blend again and serve. All ingredients not highlighted are in the last smoothie recipe with links. Enjoy. jamie

I really like pop music and top 40. Unlike many people I listen to the lyrics of songs and that can be distressing when I know kids are repeating the words. Most kids don't pay attention to the words. They like the music and the beat and how catchy it is. As I was listening to the top hits today I heard a song by Usher called 'I Don't Mind'. Here are the lyrics: Shawty, I don’t mind If you dance on a pole That don’t make you a ho Shawty, I don’t mind when you work until three If you’re leaving with me Go make that money, money, money Your money, money, money Cause I know how it is, go and handle your biz And get that money, money, money Your money, money, money You can take off your clothes Long as you coming home, girl, I don’t mind Verse 1: The ballers in here tonight, they gon’ buy a hundred bottles As soon as you shake it I know they gon’ make it colossal in here Cause shawty you thinkin’ them tricks that you do with your body Got all of these nig

Many friends have asked about my smoothie recipes and their content. I will begin posting my recipes on here along with the pics. I never thought I could drink the 'green' smoothies. They look disgusting and in my mind they had to taste terrible if they looked that bad. I could not have been more ill-informed. Over the Christmas break my sister-in-law noted their great health benefits and that the taste was good regardless of the color. My wife then began discussing buying a blender and as we looked at prices we found a very good Ninja Blender for a super great price and thus my blending began. I will say that most of my first recipes came from a website: http://www.simplegreensmoothies.com/. You can sign up for a 30 day challenge and they send you new recipes each Thursday. I have only utilized a couple of the recipes but they all sound great. With the help of this website and in discussion with my sister-in-law and others I have crafted my own smoothie recipes. Since carb

I've always heard the phrase 'confession is good for the soul'. If that statement is true then this blog should be great for my soul! Over the past few months I have been sharing my excitement over my weight loss. I have so many great friends and family that have been super supportive and I want to give a huge thank you to anyone who has 'liked' a status update or has commented and given me positive feedback. I know to some it's over-sharing but to me support is paramount to success. I am a  people person and having such a great 'support group' in all the various social media arenas has really bolstered my resolve in maintaining my decision to live a healthier lifestyle. I will admit that over the past 40 years food had become my addiction. Growing up in a very conservative Christian home meant that we didn't believe in smoking, drinking, dipping, cussing, listening to 'devil' music (honestly didn't know there were genres of music until

Every year resolutions are made on January 1 and most are shed by February 1 or soon thereafter. Unfortunately I have to say I am in the same boat. I have such grand intentions and in the fervor of New Year's feel the need to add my list of life changes for the new year. This year I don't have a top 10 list. I don't have the illusion that I will magically become thinner, smarter, more educated, win the lottery, find the fountain of youth, etc. What I have come to realize at the close of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 is that I am 42 years old and I have probably lived half of my life. I can hope and pray to live to be 84 years old and if I have all of my faculties about me I would love to live to 100 and get my name on a Smuckers jar on the Today Show but I am also a realist and understand that the odds are probably against me. Now I said all of that not to become a cynic or catastrophize or even to sound depressed. I think it's much the opposite. I am focusing a lo