Seriously?

Today I had my first grapefruit. Wow. I thought it was really good. Everytime I put another bite into my mouth I had to readjust to the taste. I put a lot of Sweet and Low on it to help. Some wise, all-knowing friends in all things food told me I would need it. I know I will try it again. I think it will be even better next time.

I am on Day Two of a 6-day detox diet. Along with Mandy Shew and Debra Wittrock. Debra really likes milk. Organic is not her favorite though. Debra is one of my roommates this summer. She actually lives right across the hall. Her duties this summer include camp nurse, general know-it-all, and Bryan's roommate. :)
Mandy is drinking out of my Nalgene. She's always wanted to be me. She tries to hide it, but I know what she's thinking. She's the one who is trying to get me to try all these new foods. They are actually mandatory, as regulated by our detox diet. Ugh, it's only day two... we eat five times a day and drink 3 Nalgenes of water. Here's the menu. This may be interesting to some:

Breakfast: 3 egg whites and a 1/2 grapefruit or mixed berries
Morning snack: grilled turkey and greens
Lunch: Grilled chicken and rice and mixed veggies
Afternoon snack: Grilled tuna and greens
Dinner: Grilled chicken and a POTATO and a BANANA! I love this meal.

So, we're in it together. Well, almost together. Today Mandy cheated. She went to Sioux Falls with her family and ate at HuHot. That's not the worst of it though. Later that day she went to Coldstone. So, Debra and I are in it together. You're only cheating yourself, Mandy.

Other firsts for today: I stepped in chicken grease and slipped and slided all over the kitchen. I finally got some good pictures of ultimate frisbee. (Andrew Klumpp was playing and he referred to his frisbee as Zweifel. Safe travels Jackie! Andrew got teary-eyed when I told him you flew to Australia today!) And, um, I'm sure there were more. It's wonderful to be purposefully expanding my horizons.

Today's Firsts

So yesterday I said that I wanted to do something new everyday. Well today I did. They may seem pretty insignificant, but I was proud of myself non-the-less. Like I said, there are so many things I have not done, or tasted, that are just like, "what have you been doing all your life? Seriously, everyone has done this but you!" Here are the things that I did for the first time today.

1. I ate fresh snap peas

2. I ate fresh green beans

3. I ate a mixed berry assortment for breakfast. This included blackberries which I have never tasted before. This was an especially hard thing for me because I don't like the seeds that come with eating berries. The assortment looked just like the picture.

4. I ate fresh green pepper slices

5. I went to camp without makeup on today. This was interesting. I didn't feel like myself. Kind of weird how that happens.

That's it for today. All this week there will be something new!

Quality Time and Movies

Crazy weekend for movies. I went to Pirates of the Carribean 2 on Friday night, watched Hoodwinked with family on Saturday night, and went to Superman Returns on Sunday night. Do I really enjoy movies that much, or am I just lazy. I think it's a little bit of both. One thing I really appreciate is when someone says to me, "What are we doing inside? It's a beautiful day! We should be out doing something!" I love that. That makes me think that I would do anything as long as it is appreciating the great outdoors, and getting the juices flowing in me. I've known few people like that. Some people that come to mind are Jerry Hagberg, a dad of a friend, but has since become a friend of mine I like to think. Also, Mark Demarest. This would be Luke's dad. I came to appreciate him on a whole new level this weekend.

Luke and I went home for a day this weekend to get him a new suit. That was really our only expectation from the trip, but we ended up staying. Mark and Jo, my inlaws, had plans to go to a movie that night in Sioux City. When Mark saw us pull into his driveway, he called his wife, already in Sioux City, and told her to come home. His son and daughter-in-law were in town, "Let's spend some time with them." This gesture was amazing to me. How selfless. And yes, I think Jo might have been disappointed, I probably would have been too, given that time to go to a movie hardly ever happens. I don't think any less of her if she was--totally understand. I also just felt so loved and welcome. THIS is a dad who really LOVES his family. Minutes after we got there, he saw that I had nothing to do while Gabe and Luke played computer fun time, so he taught me how to ride a motorcycle. I love firsts. There are so many firsts waiting to happen in my life. Not normal firsts either. Like last summer I had plain sour cream for the first time. Yeah, I have tons of those. This week I might have my first grapefruit.

Anyway, Mark saw the opportunity to spend some quality time and he took it. Whether or not he was desiring quality time with his daughter-in-law or just to be outdoors, I don't know, but his love for his family and for not wasting time and for outdoor fun is what created this moment. AND, now I can drive a motorcycle. Well, now I know the basics. I hope I remember this experience always, and that it will help me to put others first when it comes to my time. And that I will start seizing moments like I should.

So today friends take a moment, or 60, to be outside. Do something NEW! That's what I think is missing from my daily routine. I want to do something new everyday. Personally, I am tired of saying, I've never seen that, or, I've never done that before. I say it way too often. Here's to more firsts and loving every minute of it!

It's a GIRL!

This morning at 6:11 my brand new baby niece was born. How exciting! Her name is Anna Katherine Brant. (I love the name Anna!) She was about 7 pounds and about 20 inches. I will get to meet her on August 11. I can't wait! I haven't gotten any pictures yet, but as soon as I do...

This is the Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp staff this summer. This is the reason why I am having a No Slacker Summer. People think teachers get a whole summer off, well let me tell you...I know two teachers who are NOT taking time off. The end of July will mark the end of our time here. It will be sad, but I'm also looking forward to a break between jobs. More fun stories about this fun crew later!

Another Brant baby

Come join us, little girl! My brother Matt and his wife Molly are anxiously awaiting their second baby! She was due on July 4th. I had to leave Marshalltown before she arrived. Sad! Please come soon, baby girl! Join your cousins and brother Nathan.

If I love my nieces and nephews this much, what will it be like to parent???

My dad the Patriot

My dad was a patriot. He was in the army during the Vietnam War. During the draft, he was watching it on TV and his was the first birthday to be drawn. Faced with the inevitable, he said goodbye to his fiance and served his country. I could be wrong, but I don't think he went overseas. He had been to college and knew how to teach. He was utilized on the home front teaching classes to the military men. It was in the army that he accepted Christ and began a personal walk with his savior. Two Christmases ago my brother Steve took the time to create a memory book for his siblings. He had many people who knew my father better than I do write letters about what they remembered about him. One dear friend provided many, many pictures. I treasure that book. I treasure the pictures. It was the beginning of July when he died in 1992. The fourth of July was one of his favorite holidays, I'm sure. Here's to my father who will never be forgotten. It's surprising to me how much emotion wells up inside of me when I speak of him and realize what I've missed out on by not having him around. I guess I can go a long time without thinking about it, but when I do, it's fresh again. The Lord has certainly blessed me since his death..... it still hurts.