Mason Gregory Garka

Mason and Kendall, This country is going through a transition. Some people will say that the world is a scary place and that there is NO HOPE for the future. They believe it is dark and bleak. I want to encourage you to not pay attention. There are things that are awful and terrible. SAD and true. But as life has shown our family there is always HOPE. There is always good. You have LOVE, MERCY, COMPASSION, GENEROSITY , AMBITION AND KINDNESS printed on your heart. These are the tools that are needed. You have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13). You are well equipped. The bible teaches us that there is power in the tongue to speak life… These words are affirmed over each of you daily. FEAR will tell you that it is not enough and that there is nothing that can be done. It might say to you that you are helpless and a victim to fate. Don’t believe these lies. IT IS NOT TRUE. The world is simply your canvas and it is waiting for the both of you to...

Alright y'all... These.  Make them and THANK me later!!! Doughnut Ingredients:  4 eggs (preferably room temperature) 1/2 cup almond milk (I suppose you could use coconut milk, but I did not) 1/3 cup grade A maple syrup 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (if using an actual pumpkin puree, non-canned, make sure it you take out the excess liquid) 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil 2 tablespoons almond butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup almond flour  1/4 cup coconut flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoon pumpkin spice 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (I used a slight more) 1/4 teaspoon salt For the cinnamon "sugar" coating Melted coconut oil (I used about 2 large tablespoons) A handful of fine coconut sugar (about 1/4 cup). You do not need to do this but I blended the coconut sugar in a food processor to make it a finer crystal than how you purchase it Cinnamon to "taste" (about 1 Tablespoon) Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. ...

First… We might be the only couple in the USA who could care less about Valentines day… But this year. I thought I would wish you a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! (more properly) To my husband.  The man who lives in my house and sleeps in my bed…  The man I don’t often get to connect with. I love you. I like you most days.  The rest of the time you drive me crazy. The good news. I am in it for both types of days. Believe it or not I do pay attention… Like when you take out the trash, I notice. Yes. I also notice when you do not. I notice when you fill up my gas tank.  I notice. The little stuff matters.  I notice you too. I know you probably feel like most days I look right past you. I can easily be distracted by managing my career, businesses, kids - our ½ hearted son and our strong willed daughter, home chores, our home re-model…. I feel like the list could go on. So this is me pausing.  Saying a few things I shou...

I couldn’t sleep this morning. We are currently in Hawaii vacationing and this morning I was up at 5am… With zero chance of falling back asleep. Today is important day. This morning a lot was on my mind. Have you ever thought back on your opinions of being a parent before you were ever actually a parent? I do this at times when I need to have a good laugh – or remind myself that I have evolved. That people evolve. One thing (pre-kids) I was passionate about was naming my children after loved ones. I would say I had a fixed mindset with this. I didn’t think anything would change my mind. I would have kids and then they would be named after someone. End of story. Mason came along and naturally we named him after someone – His father. Mason Gregory. Strong name for a strong boy. There is a four year gap in between our children. Those four years changed and challenged everything. When it was time to name our beautiful little girl we struggled. It came...

When exposed to (emotional or physical) trauma the body deploys its own defense system. From the FIRST second the brain receives the signal that a catastrophe has occurred. The blood rushes to the organ that needs help the most. Blood flows to the muscles. To the organs. To the brain. The brain then makes a decision for the rest of the body. Either face the danger or run away. It is a mechanism designed to protect the body from harm. We call it shock. I think I am coming to the realization that I live my life in a constant state of shock. Everyday I choose to stay and face the danger. The memories. The flash backs. The constant fear. It never goes away. I even think the older Mason gets the more terrifying losing him is. I honestly am so exhausted from the sheer thought. I don't know how I could live in this world should one of my children leave it. Y’all are too gracious with me. (YES I said Y'all. I am trying to keep it light. For me...

Mason - Zipper free

Okay. You have probably noticed from my social media posts that we have been experiencing with sugar free recipes so I thought before I shared some of our favorite sugar free or limited sugar recipes (including the MOST amazing almost-sugar free ice-cream recipe) I would explain why since this is usually the first question anyone asks… My Daughter Kendall has been throwing the most horrific tantrums. Not normal, out of body tantrums. They seriously make me feel like we are failing as her parents.  I know tantrums are normal in young kids but I would venture to bet Kendall’s are on the worse side of the spectrum. Of course these tantrums don’t get blasted all over social media so when you see her in photos you see a spirited beautiful little girl which she OF COURSE IS but when she is in the middle of her tantrum there is NO reasoning with her and it is almost impossible to help her calm down.  That beautiful sweet little girl disappears and it breaks my heart. ...