So this is Christmas....

What a wonderful Christmas this year.... Dare I say..... relaxing?
We had all our Christmas gatherings far enough apart that we didn't have to rush around or be stressed out for any of them!!! Each day we had something we had almost the whole morning and afternoon to hang in our jammies and then get ready that night.
It was so very wonderful.

I love some of the traditions that we have made through our families and here are some of my most favorite ones.....

• I started this year making our own little advent by wrapping 25 of Asher's Christmas books ( actually we have over 25 so next year I may start sooner than Dec 1st to get them all in) and letting him unwrap 1 each night.  Once I wrapped them, I didn't know what was what and Asher got to pick which ones he wanted each night. The cool part was that the very last book on Christmas Eve was the REAL story about Jesus and his birth. In of all the "Christmasy" books that we have we only have a couple about the birth of Jesus... so I'm gonna make sure and get a few more this next year.  Loved that God saved that one for last

• And because I am pregnant and my mind revolves around  food... another of my favorite traditions is my Mom's Fresh Cherry Pudding. It is this chocolate sponge cake that has cherries in it and then you drizzle this maple vanilla sauce on top! It is to die for!!! My Grandmother made it at Christmas when she was little and since Mom has started making it for us it has been a MUST, especially for Rich!  There's no doubt that it will be a tradition for my kids and grandkids too!
• my Dad, for the pat 4-5 years has been sharing a recitation called " The Christmas Guest" at our Christmas Eve service. It is such a touching story and my Dad does such a wonderful job at it. He has memorized it and for a 74 year old, that's pretty good.  Here's a link to hear it... The Christmas Guest, by Hoot Gibson
• Rich's family dynamic is definitely changing.... When we first started dating we had the most reverent and relaxing Christmas times. Now that we have 5 kids and 2 on the way, it's turned into quite the circus! So fun... but not what we are used to.  One tradition that we skipped out on this year, but will definitely want to make sure happens next year is Grandma Anita playing the piano while we all sing. All of Rich's family is so musical and we don't take the time to use it much.  We did sing, but acapella. I really missed that piano. She is so very talented and we all love to hear her play. She does it with such intent that it is always worshipful to those who hear. 

• We had lots of fun making goodies this year. Asher was our official "sprinkler" and would sprinkle a few and then lick a few. :) We probably made 5 dozen sugar cookies and 7 dozen dipped pretzels this year! He had lots of practice!!! 

This year with Asher becoming more aware of Christmas and the meaning behind it, made me really step back and think what I want our family's focus to be on. While we tried to make him think of others with our gifts to World Vision and to other family members, he still had a really hard time grasping that Christmas was not all about him when it came to giving gifts.  I know he's only 3 and that will come with age... but it definitely made me think that we should keep it simple next year. I think that instead of the stress of going to a store for things.. we may try having Asher make something for the ones he wants to give to. That way we don't have to look at all the things for sale that will make him think about what he wants. He will be able to think about what that person likes, their favorite colors... etc.

All in all, it was a wonderful time. I will miss the glimmer of the tree and lights on the fireplace... and the overall "home" feeling our house has when it's the season.
However, the leftover cookies will not be!!!

A day for Redemption

 
This week has been especially challenging for me.
It was thrown off by sickness, starting with Rich and then somewhat Asher and I.
We have felt very worn out and stretched thin.
Because of our usual busy-ness of each week, I have tried to take advantage of staying home on days where we don't HAVE to get out.
And for some reason the walls of our house have closed in on everyone.

It could have turned into a great week with Asher and I doing lots of Christmas things and having great times together, but instead I chose to focus on the insignificant.
Looking back, I see very few moments where I put things aside to play with him.
I do see him wanting to spend time with me and so asking to help me with the "homework" ( as he calls it) Sweeping the floor and dusting and making beds...
I know, I am very glad to see him offer to help and it will pay off for his wife one day, but I know that I was just trying to stay busy.
A lot of people like to blame it on the season, and that may be so... between church activities, family parties, showers, extra jobs that Rich and I take on this time of year-- we were drained.


Only after a "try to rest" time when Asher got the best of my temper was I able to realize what a focus change I needed.
We have had some challenging days with Asher. He has really started spreading his independence and using some pretty disrespectful words and responses when we tell him something he doesn't want to hear.
Our response is that he needs to go to his room until he is able to talk nicely and with more respect.  Let's just say that he's been in his room a lot lately.
It's very frustrating...

It's been challenging without outside time and then trying to figure out the nap / no nap thing I just have to trial and error.
Come 4 or 5 o'clock he's a mess.
Yesterday we fought until about 5 :00 or so and I had the idea to read the Christmas Story out of our Bible. I honestly didn't care whether Asher really sat beside me and listened with intent or if he quietly played cars on the floor below... I just needed to hear it.  I needed to be quiet and read God's word.
His promise.
A promise of redemption..... for that day in particular.

Asher knows so much about Jesus and why he was born... already at 3 1/2! We talk about it so much and I am so glad that he thinks of Jesus before Santa as the meaning of Christmas.
Come to think of it, other than our Elf on the Shelf, we have not really talked a lot about Santa. And we actually don't have any presents from Santa other than his stocking.
We read from the promise of Jesus to the visit of the Magi, periodically asking him questions about the story to reiterate what we just read. Even though he didn't look like he was listening he sure was! He loves to hear about Herod and he doesn't understand how someone could fear/hate a baby.
I wish that I could say that that turned our whole day around... it didn't.
BUT... it did give another opportunity to show just how much we need a Savior.
Jesus doesn't have a naughty and nice list. He loves each one the same and offers the same gift to all.
Forgiveness.
For days like yesterday.
Thank you Lord!

A Birthday Do Over....

As I posted on Tuesday, it was Rich's 30th birthday. As it turned out... we had some grave circumstances preface the day with the death of our cat, Gracie.
Needless to say, he was a bit bummed.
I did have to work that day, but had plans to make a yummy dinner and make him one of his favorite things... Boston Creme Pie.
Now, I have tried this before when we were dating and it was mass failure. The chocolate sauce never hardened and was more just like syrup and the cake was flat and not fluffy like it should have been.
So.... I searched, of course, on Pinterest for a recipe to follow.
Thinking about the ingredients I had and the ingredients that I needed... I realized I could adapt the recipe for what I had on hand.
So here's what I had....
1/2 bag of chocolate chips
whipping cream
yellow cake mix


... I know it looks dyer doesn't it?
But then I realized that on my lunch break I could swing by and buy some vanilla pudding mix to serve as the "custard" middle.
So as I got home from work that day, I also realized that I don't have 2 circle 9 inch baking pans, so I had to use my bundt pan instead.
Mixed the cake, let it cool.
Fixed the pudding and put in fridge to set.
Then I made the chocolate sauce, which I did follow most from the recipe, just nixing the added cornsyrup.
It turned out  so very YUMMY!!!!
It was 100 x times better the next day when the chocolate had time to harden though.
So, if you love Boston Creme Pie here is a totally easy, quick, recipe for those that don't have all evening to be measuring out and creaming and whisking.....

picture shown is not mine...( just giving you an example)

Easiest Boston Creme Pie
1 box yellow cake mix
1 box instant vanilla pudding
12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream


Make cake mix and pudding according to directions.
Place pudding in fridge to set, and after cake bakes, be sure to let cool completely.
If using a bundt pan... carefully cut the top half off to make 2 pieces of cake.
Spread pudding on top of the bottom layer and place other piece of cake on top.
Set in fridge.

Place chocolate chips and whipping cream into a small saucepan and melt, SLOWLY on med/low, making sure to stir frequently ( I just sat and stirred the whole time since I was fearing it would burn and I only had one shot at the chocolate).
After completely melted and mixed together it should look very velvety and smooth.
Pour over cake to cover all the top and sides.... if using a bundt pan you may have to spoon some out of the middle to cover the outer sides. If using 2 regular pans you should be fine.


You can eat it right away, but it's much better left in the fridge until chocolate hardens.
Sure wish I had a picture to show you, but it was pretty much eaten right away. :)

I'm losing track.....

Just a few things for this week.....
--It is sure becoming difficult to leave a urine sample at the OB these days.... hello?.... anybody else know what I mean?
--I can't imagine this belly getting any bigger.... but that doesn't stop me from eating Christmas goodies and drinking Coca Cola...
--Our poor, cerebellar hyperplasia cat ,Gracie, died last night.... We went out to celebrate Rich's 30th birthday and came home to find her lifeless and having seizures.  Rich put Asher to bed while I sat with her until she finally passed.  We never knew how long the cats would survive, but Rich cared for them so selflessly.  Her twin sister "Faith" had to be put down last year.. in fact, it was snowing that day too.
--While at work today, I bit down on a pretzel and broke half my tooth off. Luckily, it's all the way in the back so if it needs to be pulled then it's not gonna show as bad. I have such weak teeth and have not been so good about taking my Prenatal Vitamins everyday.  Lesson learned. 
--Dr appointment went well... she said that he is positioned breech (bottom first, instead of head), but was reassured when she said that he has plenty of time to turn.  But overall measuring right on track.
-- Today is my sweet husband's 30th birthday... so I am making him a Boston Creme Pie to have as dessert. Hopefully it makes this kinda bad day for us all a little better. 

Thankful for many things....

With the thankfulness holiday tomorrow I thought that I would give a few things that I am thankful for......
First off...
I am so thankful for... a God that despite knowing me and my every thought, loves me still. (Cause he really shouldn't.)
...a husband who kisses me, plays with our children, and is not allergic to housework.
...a sweet little boy who warms this Mama's heart no matter my mood.
... a home to call my own that lets me feel domestic and proud to have people over
... a pregnancy that has been relatively smooth.
... a family that I can always call when I'm needing someone to talk to
... friends that always give me the best company

My life is blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving

Update 23 weeks

Well... this whirlwind of about 2 weeks has been crazy, good, stressful, eye opening.....
We have officially moved into the new house and have been there a little over a week.
We all are loving it there... Asher has no problems going to sleep and has not yet had many issues with the move.  Other than getting into trouble for having the pantry more accessible to him!

Pregnancy is going smoothly.  Physically its great, other than getting used to being this big so quick, Emotionally, is another story....
Just don't feel like myself much lately... very much an unsettled and void feeling.
It will come and go. Some days are great, some days not.
Talked with my Dr and both came to think it was stress in life paired with hormones waxing and waning...
I think that it also has to do with my lack of time I have given to God. I have not been in my Bible in mmmaaannnnyyy days.  I have fallen prey to sin and have built a wall. 
A wall needs to be broken down for good... His word is food to this crazy Mama's unsettled soul.

I am looking forward to being around family this week... being in the kitchen and preparing food for my family is something I love to do and it helps me feel important and accomplished...
I told you I was crazy!
So, prayers for me, my friends... for my moods and also for myself to kick it into gear and get into His word!

A little Christmas Pinspiration...

So... Oh Holy Night am I excited about Christmas this year!
We are HOPING to start moving this weekend, so we will have plenty of time to have our Christmas Decor out and displayed in the new house!
I can't wait for everyone to see pictures... I was silly and didn't take many from the before kitchen... it is completely redone! Appliances, countertops, everything... and it looks spectacular!!!!
So here are a few things that I am gonna use from Pinterest to help decorate my home this year!
Enjoy!!
First you MUST listen to this....... Asher's personal favorite is "Jingle Bells"!

Kirby will have lots of interesting things to try this year..

 Elf on Shelf

We have a tradition of Christmas Cookies, though none EVER look as good as these!

Cookieshttp://pinterest.com/pin/89086898848476560/
We always have an abundance of Christmas cards and this is an awesome DIY to display them!

Card Holder DIY
This is an awesome fireplace and tree, but you can't go wrong with twinkle lights at night, so relaxing!!

Hearth Decor
We adore Christmas time at our house... undoubtedly, we will be have Christmas music playing and goodies baking in the oven or all over the counter.  I hope that my kids keep this time of year dear to their hearts as well.

A little rant about pregnancy...

Maybe you all can help me....
I stinking HATE maternity clothes. Shirts.... unless they don't happen to look like maternity shirts are awful and I - H.A.T.E.- maternity pants! The low rise ones show my butt crack still AND they are not very comfy on my C-section scar, and the high, over the belly, ones don't stay up either and leave weird lines under your shirts.
Maybe this is coming from a place where I am very self conscious and aware of my growing belly. I know that I have the excuse of pregnant! hellooo!, but this time it has not been a welcomed pill to swallow.  No matter what I have on... I feel completely unattractive, and to actually find something that I want to wear is a task in and of itself! I'm glad most days Rich does not have to deal with the throwing and cursing of clothes in order to get something on each day.
It's not that I don't have many maternity clothes... because I do, I just don't know if I have the right ones for me. I may just resort to living in yoga pants for everything... they are the only thing that really feels ok. 
Anyone else have this problem too? :/

Tricks or Treats

Hope Everyone had a great Halloween night!
Our day was filled with lots of things like grocery shopping, bike riding and watching Halloween cartoons from my childhood on you tube.
I loved the old Disney Halloween specials and now a days they don't have anything like that :(
Asher was back and forth wanting to be Superman, the Flash, and Captain America... he finally decided on the Flash. Which is probably a good thing since Captain America will hopefully be big enough he could wear it next year. AND... the Flash costume is so cheaply made that the few tugs on the mask from Asher already put a hole in it. I've almost convinced myself to forever be a "make your own costume" mom!  Most I've come up with have been a ton cuter....
Anyways, despite almost falling asleep on our way to the first stop of the night, Asher had a great time. I honestly think his favorite things of the night were playing with his cousins at Gma Shelia's, playing cars at Papa Hoot's, and helping Gma Lisa pass out candy to her trick or treaters. He had a few pieces of chocolate here and there, a handful of pop rocks- which he thought were so cool, and some nerds. 
By the time we were ready to start home he was so tired and mixed with mostly sugar... not too fun.
However we had a sweet time singing in the car! Asher and I had a lovely little duet to "This Is How We Know What Love Is" by  Steve Green.  It was precious:) He sang the words first and then I echoed.
On the Owen front.... He's doing good. Kicking up a storm, especially at night when I first lay down to settle.  I am now 20 weeks so halfway there! I know that the next few months will FLY by with all the moving, holidays, and such going on. 
We should expect to start moving next week, so we are really kicking into high gear trying to pack away things and move stuff on over that won't get in the way. 
When we get in I will post some pictures of before and afters... it looks so good guys! I'm very proud of my hubby and thankful for all the help our family has sacrificed to get it all done!!!!

A peek, an announcement and a name...

Yesterday was the big day!  We went to the ultrasound a bit more anxious and calm.. ( if that's possible) than we did with Asher. I was just very anxious to see my baby healthy than whether it was a boy or a girl. I needed to see the little face and ten toes and 2 lips. After my many crazy dreams of deformed and confusing details of the baby.. it really started to scare me a bit.  The fear of the unknown is most overwhelming sometimes!
We set up to have everyone over to our new house to make the official announcement and to have some chili. 

Asher's big brother present from the baby!

 

 

Asher opened up a present for the baby to let everyone know he is a BOY!

His sweet little profile.. he already has Asher's button nose!

Explaining to Papa how to look at the ultrasound

First family picture as 4!

Comparing bellies.. 2 boys!

Loved the time to spend with family, was not without chaos though... we didn't have enough spoons to go around, and the night ended with Captain America puking all over the floor from running on a full tummy. 
We are still throwing names around but I think we have come up with a first name of "Owen" for him.  It means "well-bred"... ha.... and it sounds precious paired with big brother "Asher".
I am still trying to wrap my head around having 2 kids...
I guess one thing at a time... and for now, priority is moving!
Could use some prayers that things can progress a little quicker than we are planning...? We would really like to live there already.... it's home.

Update is taking a backseat...

Hello, friends...
  I was on facebook  this morning, as I usually start my workday.
I could not help but see person after person with needs.
Specifically... my friend, Karla who will be having an exploratory surgery to see if her cancer has spread anywhere else.  She is a fighter and a great woman of God who has many praying and thinking of her.
My aunt Julie's grandmother is in the ICU with congestive heart failure.
There are many sick or coming out of surgeries that I have read.
I am burdened by all these things that happen on earth to make life hard to live sometimes.
It makes me thankful for my health... my family, who is my support system, and most of all for my faithfulness in my God. Without the comfort of knowing that He is beside me, I don't have any hope at all.
... I was completely humbled. He convicted me about being the best parent I can be to Asher, on behalf of Him. I realized that especially through this trying time of "threes" I need to rely on him more for patience, guidance and knowledge.
And again... I would fail miserably without knowing Him.
I seem to think that I can solely be responsible for teaching Asher how to act and behave. But when the going gets really rough... my faulty human nature who is quick to anger and impatient really has a hard time being quiet and fair.  That's when I need Him most.
To quiet the angry, controlling, and selfish nature... into the forgiving, merciful and wise.
To each situation.. whether you have financial issues, parenting trials, sickness, loss of a loved one... you name it, every situation, you need the strength, forgiveness, love, and hope that can only come from above.

Have we got news for you!!!!

If you all have read for a while you know that we have been trying, most unsuccessfully, to sell our house.We have wanted to move into a bigger home that better suits our soon to be a family of 4 needs. Well, I am here to say that it is finally done! An opportunity that greatly humbles us fell into our lap and we are able to move to an awesome, better suited for us, home!!! We have been so blessed by this and we are so excited to get a home where we are not on top of one another all the time. It has everything we wanted and needed in a house, and while we have some work to do to update it a little we are SOOO ready to get our hands dirty and do this thang!!!
We have spent many man hours talking about paint colors and picking out ceiling fans, and just let me tell you how EXCITED we are about CHRISTMAS!!!!! There is the most perfect spot for our Christmas tree and we actually have a fireplace that is so gorgeous to hang our stockings on!!!
The many days and nights filled with disappointment and confusion have finally come to a close. We did not like living in a constant state of discontentment that greatly affected our spiritual and home life.
I can't wait to show you before and after pictures which I am planning to do once we can get in there and start working!
I thank each one of you that have prayed for us about this...
You never know what God has in store for your family, but he is always faithful and until now we have often lost track of that. Only now, could we have completely relied on him for our changing needs.

While I am a bit overwhelmed thinking about all the things in the house that need to be packed, and a little bittersweet to leave such a memory filled house, I am SURE thankful that we can get this done before the holidays and especially to be settled before the baby is born!!

Asher is getting used to the idea more and more... At first, he was not liking the idea of leaving the only home he's ever known, but when we have brought family over to see it, he shows them his room and "the baby's room", and the "swimming pool" otherwise known as the master bedroom. He loves to run through the hallway and go outside to his climbing tree. I think that the more we are there and he's able to get familiar with the place, the more he'll be ok with it when we are actually living there. We have already picked out a special new nightlight for his room and we want him to be a part of the decorating of it too. Maybe even the baby's room too!

Speaking of, baby is doing good... measuring and weighing right on track and heart rate is still at 160bpm. Feeling more movements, especially at night when I'm able to relax and focus on it. This month was a much anticipated appointment... with all the weird dreams I have had, my anxieties have been that something is wrong. It was nice to have the assurance that everything's right. Rich and I were talking about how this pregnancy has been so much different and not as much of a big deal. In fact, we both agreed that sometimes we forget about it. Life goes on and we have things to do. I think Rich was so thrown for a loop with Asher that it's old hat now and he doesn't have near the fears that he had with the first. He knows that we will survive.
May be a couple of weeks before you see another post... we are gonna be a little busy moving and vacationing...:):):):):):)
Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!

16 weeks

I have been pretty great the past few weeks... other than a pimple farm on my chin:) Actually this week I read that pregnant women should have glowing skin starting now, so I'm looking forward to that!!
I have had some pretty vivid and crazy dreams lately that have made my anxieties come out a little more. On more than one occasion I have been dreaming that Rich leaves me for another woman.
I wake up so hurt and furious with him!
I think that he knows who will come after him if he would ever ( which I NEVER think he would) !
All the talk about whether we are having a boy or a girl is very apparent in EVERY conversation that I have, so it would only be normal to have dreams about it too.
As opposed to some pregnant women, I have no "feeling" of what it could be.... I know that it has been different and more hormonal that Asher's, but you can NEVER know.. no matter how many wives tales you try to believe.
Anyways, my dream was that as I was getting "the ultrasound" they told me everything looked good other than the baby had no "parts".  The wording in my dream was that the baby was sterile and that we needed to choose if we wanted to raise it as a boy or a girl. Talk about crazy!!!
So of course in my Mama worrisome mind, I have been praying about and worrying that there is something wrong with the baby. I know how ridiculous this may seem... but it is a true worry to me. I think about how lucky I was in getting such a sweet, smart, and healthy boy and that my luck has ran out. I think that my reasoning has been magnified by the loss of a baby a month before I was pregnant with this one. 
I guess it plays into the thought that we honestly don't care what the sex of the baby is, just that it is healthy and at least has "parts"!!
Having some progress with house worries and just praying that all of this is God's timing and that we can finally move!

15 weeks- A quick little update

As I have a huge pile of work to do on my desk I have only an ounce of time to give an update on us lately...
Life, as we know it, has been extremely busy. I have realized I'm not a person who likes this.... it throws me, Asher and Rich into a tizzy of who's where what time.. and only makes for utter confusion!
Here's our schedule this week:

Monday night: A solo/ensemble practice for choir Musical coming up this Sunday

Tuesday night: Normally a bible study night, but out of sheer MUST we are opting to skip and spend this night home together!

Wednesday night: While we don't have choir practice we still have AWANA. 

Thursday night: Dress Rehearsal for said choir musical

Friday night: work during day, volunteer for booth at craft fair... and then home.

Saturday: Family reunion in Rondo, MO. 

I know... mass craziness.
I know that sometimes weeks like this can't be helped... and we'll get through it...
I need to rely on my Lord to get me through this stretching week so I can stay patient and roll with it.
No doubt that we ALL have to be guarded of our family time when life gets a little crazy. I am so thankful that I have a husband who stands firm in that!!

Tonight you will find us at home enjoying each other and most certainly riding bikes, playing baseball, and maybe even having our dinner outside.
I was so blessed by something that Asher thanked God for a few nights ago... He was praying and began to thank God for protecting and loving our hearts. Oh how I thank Him for that too... and especially for my little children. So much can penetrate our hearts and minds if we let it... only the sweet words of a 3 year old will make me realize it.
Pregnancy is good... sleeping is getting better... baby bump is growing....  that's about all for this week!

Why I'm not a good Mama sometimes...

Oh man.... what a night.
We had a good family night dinner complete with a little time at Barnes and Noble to get Asher a "spooky" Berenstein Bears book, plus a couple others that he's obsessed with on the back of the ones he already has.
Home and a lazy time of getting ready for bed... complete with reading all 3 new books. Asher asked me to lay beside him while we listened to his Bible stories and BOTH of us fell asleep. After waking up and my hand was cold and completely dead- not just asleep, I went back into the living room to watch the Office with Rich. After watching a few new shows I was ready to back to sleep so off the t.v. went and back to sleep I went... or at least those were my intentions!
My bed felt as though I might as well have slept on the floor! My hips hurt laying on my side, when you're pregnant you can't sleep on your back, and my belly is poking out just enough to make it really squished laying on my stomach. So, It seemed that I changed positions about every 30 seconds.
Asher and we have been on a bad habit of when he wakes up in the middle of the night we go get him and bring him in bed with us... not a good habit... case in point when we look like the letter "H" with a head in one's back and feet in the other's face!! So the more I move the more I woke him up and made it hard for him to get back to sleep too.  There were a few times that I snapped at him to hurry up and get comfortable. I eventually moved to the foot of the bed in hopes to get a little more wiggle room without bothering him when after a few minutes I realize that he's about to fall off the bed! I grab his head and move it, somewhat harshly, back over on the pillow.  By this point I am about in tears for the frustration of being awake and tossing for about 2 hours.  My movement scared him and he started to cry... he says.. "I'm sorry Mama, be nice to me!"    Talk about a knife in the heart....
After apologizing and telling Asher that Mama needed a timeout and that I was going to go to the living room to get a better attitude, I slunk out of the room feeling like a complete heel. From then on I still tossed and turned and cried knowing how I had let my anger build up until I took it out on my precious baby. He didn't deserve that at all...
I'm not always the fair and trusting Mama that I should be.... I am not always tender and understanding.... I'm a lot of times selfish, I want things to go a certain way and when they don't, I get mad. And I am particularly slave to it when I am sleep deprived.
I just thank God that a new day comes in the morning with his sweet face smiling at me and giving me my morning snuggles. He still loves me despite my many times I disappoint him and me. And I hope he knows how much I love him even when he does things that upset me.. even though I do not show it sometimes.

Rainy weekend and flutters.....

Oh what a glorious weekend.... it was lazy and busy all at the same time!
Friday started out with a much needed date night for my sweet husband and I. Since the beginning of this pregnancy I have not made him a huge priority when it came to him or sleep. I am so sorry for this, but my body was strictly surviving.
We started with some errands to run while we were in town, like buying cat food and dog chews, then went to Target for some running pants for Rich. ( Have I mentioned that he has been running with the dog for the past 2 months EVERY night?... I think he has only missed 2 nights since he started!!! I am so proud of him!)
Then it was dinner time.
After much begging and recommending from our friend, John, we went to Digiacintos. A little hole in the wall Italian place that every one knows about. Many of my friends said that it was amazing so after losing our J. Parrinos we decided to give it a go.
The special was a crab cake dinner, but also offered as an appetizer that evening. I love crab, so I gave the appetizer a try. It was soooo yummy!!! Rich was not as big of a fan and I didn't mind:)
Rich ordered the Veal Parmigiana and I had a Ravioli Trio with 2 cheese, 2 spinach artichoke, and 2 seafood.
They were both very yummy. I could not finish all of mine between the crab cake, salad, bread... so we got to have it for 2 meals!
I did love the feel of the place, but for us.. it was just a little too expensive for what we got. If there were something that the 2 of us could split, it wouldn't be so bad, but Rich and I have completely different tastes for Italian.
Rich is still looking for his Holy Grail of a good Veal. Not that there's was bad, but not what he likes when it comes to that.

Saturday was spent with choir practice in the morning and a very relaxing and soup making afternoon. I love days that all of us are home. It's so cozy and nice. Especially when the majority of the day was pouring rain outside.
Sunday was pretty busy with Rich having an afternoon meeting and I had a friend's baby shower.
That night though Asher and I stayed home and ate leftovers and watched a little more tv than usual. But it's allowed when your snuggled up under a blanket with Mama:)
This week has been fairly normal pregnancy other than feeling a few flutters in there this morning. I was just starting to wake and turn to my other side, when I felt them. I think it was anyways.......
I'll just tell myself it was.

Soup LOVE...

Here's a few of my pinterests that I have been drooling over even though I couldn't eat but 2 bites of them! I'm planning on making my famous Gnocchi soup on Thursday night since it's going to be so chilly! ( I love it!)

Harvest Vegetable Soup

Healing cabbage soup
Lasagna Soup
Gnocchi and Sausage soup... not the same as mine.. I have a copykat recipe from Olive Garden here
Tomato Tortellini.. I can't wait to try this one!
Broccoli Cheddar

There is something wonderful about dipping some hard bakery bread into a cheesy warm soup... have I mentioned that I love fall?..... :)

Cause I'm tired of having boring baby updates....

Today I will give you a baby update, but I want to talk about food.
Even still.... at 13 weeks, I have not completely gained my appetite back... which S.T.I.N.K.S!
Fall, my most favorite season and goodies of all richness and pumpkiny and hearty... and I don't feel like eating.
I can already feel my baby house growing substantially this week. I lay on my back and I see it poking right out there already and feel it expanding when I press on my stomach AND have been having the ligament pain to prove it!
I'm thinking that my stomach and intestines are already being pushed up because, being a majorly short waisted person, they have no where else to go. Thus, it makes the amount of fall yumminess consumed quite a bit less than desired. You know the nasty full feeling you have after you eat Thanksgiving dinner? Yeah.. that's how I feel all the time.After just a few bites. :(
Other than that.. I am feeling great. Waking up quite a bit at night (to change positions.. to pee... you name it)- but still feeling rested of a morning.
I am beginning to have my sciatic nerve problems arise again, so I have to do lots of stretching laying on the floor with my arms on the floor and my rear in the air to take pressure off of my lower back. It's real attractive.....
Had a quick Dr appointment this month but got to hear sweet little baby's heartbeat. Nice and strong at 160bpm. The nurse that helped me I knew... and she recognized me.. but we could NOT figure out how we knew each other! It's still plaguing me!!!!!
I'm still wearing regular clothes but I feel that it won't be for long... pants will soon have to go to maternity. I am not one that enjoys my maternity clothes... they were very stretched out with Asher so I may have to go get a couple new ones that will fit when I am not about to pop. Plus, even when I was about to pop with A, I was constantly pulling them up!!!
OK, so since we are talking about food today I thought I would share an accidental success that I came across last night!
In my attempt to make something hassle free, since we all were not in the mood to eat... I took a recipe adapted from Giada and made a little wrap for myself. ( Rich didn't want to eat, Asher wanted leftover mac and cheese from lunch...) 
Here's the recipe:

Dill Turkey Wrap

1 flour tortilla.... spread cream cheese inside-- as much as you like

sprinkle dill spice or fresh dill over cream cheese... I used a half used package from hidden valley I had already in the cabinet ( told you this was an accident!)

lay 1-2 pieces of turkey deli meat on top

sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top

slice an apple..mine were Jonathans.. add a few thin slices of apple

lay a few leaves of baby spinach on top

Fold over the tortilla (as best you can) and pop in the microwave for about 35 seconds OR if you have a toaster oven or grilled would be awesome too!!

Tada!... sweet and herby and licious!

Looking forward to a date night on Friday! It's been SOO long since we were able to get away just the 2 of us! God has blessed us so much with great family time lately though that it has made it a little easier.

Labor Day and 12 weeks

Honestly... for the past 2 months there has been a cloud over our household. Or maybe that's just from one cranky Mama......
Now that I am feeling back to normal, It has been so wonderful. It's almost as if I was asleep and just woke up. I know that the majority was simply surviving and doing the very minimum of anything... but Rich even confessed that I was NOT myself.

This weekend was so nice. Technically, it started on Thursday when Rich said that we needed to get outta town! I was completely needing it, and so off we went on a whim, to Branson. We were gonna do a little shopping and buy a few new fall candles with my Yankee coupon and then eat and play some mini golf.
We first stopped at the Landing and walked around for a little bit... we stopped and played on the kids play area and then ate at Joe's Crab Shack. Asher L.O.V.E.D. the fish and sharks hanging all over. He spent more time looking at things than even eating his "crab"... aka popcorn shrimp. ( Is it bad to lie to your child like that?... I just knew he wasn't going to like crab, but he demanded that's what he wanted.)
After eating.. we went to Yankee and stocked up on our spicy fall candles.  On another note.. isn't funny how even though your house can be a disaster, if you have a really nice scented candle going... it seems fine?

Anyways.... we ended our evening at a mini-golf place that takes you through the steps of becoming a movie star. While it was very catchy and an experience... it was seriously almost 30 bucks for all 3 of us to play!!!! That is 6 times what we normally pay for Fun Acre! I had to breathe through it and realize that we are here for fun and making memories....We finished up at Freddy's for some ice cream and a quick walk through Target. We all had a great time!

This weather we are having is out of this world! Seeing as it has been so blistering HOT this summer, we had many things on our summer to do list that couldn't get done because of it.  We were able to spend lots of time outside and enjoy this gorgeousness that is 70 degrees!!!
We took a nature walk on Labor Day and walked about 2 miles.. all 3 of us!! Asher made it the whole way with NO complaining or asking to be held. He is an outside boy and he loves to run and find rocks and sticks and bugs. We saw caterpillars, wooly worms, snakes (copperheads I might add!), deer (that jumped directly in front of us!), turkeys, birds, and squirrels.  We threw rocks in the lake and looked for minnows... just overall a peaceful and wonderful time together!
Our Labor day ended with a family dinner with all of Rich's mom's family... and boy do we ladies have fun! Rich's sister Kimmie and I are both pregnant and are about 7 weeks apart.  They all agree that they think Kimmie is having a boy and I am having a girl. We were talking about all the wives tales that can determine the gender and I was talking about one I heard of where you pee on some baking soda and if it fizzes it's a boy and if it doesn't it's a girl... so of course, they got out the baking soda and told us to get to it!
Fizz on both accounts... so you just never know!
We love to visit and the kids gets to play and we always have great food.
I'm so blessed to have such a great family.
I leave you with a picture from Branson night and I'll post a few of nature center a little later.

11 weeks

Happy to say that I have been morning sickness free for about 6 days in a row!!!! ( can you hear the Hallelujah Chorus?... it's there, trust me!)
However, the first trimester wanted to go out with a bang because last night, right before dinner, I almost lost it!!!!!
I'm actually not sure if it was the pregnancy talking or that I could be fighting off what Asher had....
Either way, I got to spend the first part of dinner laying on the bathroom floor!


I am starting to feel like myself again... and thank goodness for that! Not as many weeping wailing fits, and finally getting some energy for the day.

Rich's sister Kimberly gets to find out if little jellybean is a boy or girl next week and I am so excited for them!!!

No cravings much this week, but have eaten almost a whole jar of pickles! Give em to me sour or sweet!!
Now that I have a little more energy I am trying to get outside more and do some fun things with Asher while I can. Thankfully the 2nd trimester will be in the best weather for that!!!!
Sorry about the short post, not really in the mood to sit on the computer! Yeehaw!!!!!!!!
Still having a very hard time with names here. I guess when we find out what this little pickle is, is when we'll really get down to business!
So GOOD BYE first trimester!!!!!!!!!!!

10 weeks... and random thoughts

I can say that this week has been better.
I think as I am creeping to the 2nd trimester mark, I am slowly but surely getting more energy and feeling better. I all have to do is remember to keep a little something in my stomach.



I have found that it is a little hard to be able to wait so long in between appointments this time around. I think when you have a child already and you can continuously know that they are fine and well, well you want to do that with the other one too. I would love to be able to see and hear this little pickle's heart each and every day. But I guess that is where I have to let my Heavenly Father have that control.

I am getting excited to be able to kiss and snuggle a little baby again... and see big brother do the same.
We have the pleasure to be able to spend time with our sweet Palmer Puddin and she is now almost 2 months old! Just can't hardly believe that it has already been that long since she blessed this world.
I love to watch Asher with her.... it's funny.... he loves her so very much, and you can see it in his eyes and when he talks to her or about her. But, he is a 3 year old, excitable boy and so each visit comes with lots of "No, Asher don't push her head back", or "No, Asher please don't poke her eyes out". 
This little pickle is gonna have to be tough!
My gut keeps going back to this one being another boy, but I know how different this pregnancy has been, so I can't rule out that it could be a girl.


I am really longing for fall, which is already my FAVORITE time of year. I think of fall as a time to be able to go outside and play without worrying about sunburn, mosquitoes, and heat exhaustion!
Craft festivals, good apples, spices, smells, fall leaves in the cool breeze, scarves and sweaters....

I have honestly contemplated going in the attic and bringing down my fall decor already.
I don't know if you are like me, but my house is so pretty and decorated from Oct through January and the rest of the year it just seems too plain.

With school starting and seeing all the kids going back to school, it makes me very nostalgic. I LOVED the first days of school! I loved how all my pencils and crayons were untouched, perfect, and organized. I remember always cringing a bit when I had to use them for the first time. I love school, I love being able to do tasks and learn new things. I have been thinking about what it is I would like to do after all my kiddos are in school and this Mama needs something to do....
I would love to be able to go back to school and do something more on my creative side. I would love to do art or even an elementary librarian. 
Ah well... time will tell.
Until then, I can live vicariously though my babies and read and paint with them!!!

Nesting already?....!?

It must be my hormones peaking again.....
I have been so moody and weepy and angry, and as you can probably tell, I'm not the most fun to be around.
I think that I pinpointed why.....
I have felt so out of control lately. I can't control how I feel (both physically and emotionally), or how I look... and it just has started to make me a little crazy.
I've admitted it before, I'll admit it again.. I'm a bit of a control freak.
I am really tired of feeling junky... both literally and figuratively.
I'm sick and tired of people telling me how sick and tired I look! Doesn't any one know you're not supposed to tell and sick and tired pregnant lady that!
So... after taking about enough of it as I could have taken, I took action.
I wanted to control something....I NEEDED to control something... and it just happened to be in my linen closet and Asher's clothes bins.
I got on a rampage. I opened the closet and just started crying and throwing everything out of it. Every piece of paper, every blanket, every towel. I refolded everything and took a whole garbage bag FULL of stuff I was sick of to send to a garage sale.  I was getting the clutter OUT!
Of course after that, I had to lay on the couch and veg because of the amount of energy I had just exerted by crying and throwing things.
I had built up enough stress that only something like that was going to be enough to get it all out.. for the day, anyways.
The next morning, I woke up before anyone... and for some reason... I had that itch again.
I started thinking about the abundance of clothes that I needed to go through of Asher's and that I really needed to get the fall stuff picked and sorted.

"I am the queen of this domain!"

So, I spent over 2 hours sorting and organizing 4 bins of clothes and shoes until I finally had it where I needed them.
It was very rewarding... and although I still have 2 baskets full of laundry that has yet to be done, I feel like I accomplished something big.
Or at least big enough for a sick and tired of being sick and tired pregnant lady.

9 weeks

9 weeks.....
Each week brings it's own challenges and triumphs.
This week was super busy... either Rich or I had something EVERY night!
I am a person who thrives in routine, so I will be very glad to get back to normal school year activities and know what to expect each week.


Symptoms this week:  Thankfully the sickness has subsided a bit.. that is, if I don't get hungry. Once I go too long without eating is when I start to feel yucky. Still very tired... though when Asher does take a nap I sleep with him. If he doesn't I try to have some rest time while he watches a movie for an hour. Still sore things...:)



Weight Gain / Cravings : Pasta House salad.. with pimentos and artichokes! We ate there for a date night out and then I got the stuff to make it at home! Cravings are also fading.. and I will be glad when eating is enjoyable again.  I don't think I've gained much yet other than fluid, though I still feel like a barn!

Worries / Anxieties :  This week has been ok... though a spike in my hormones have made me a little weepy. Every time I see or hear about the drought and famine in Africa I just bawl and squall. But I would probably do that even if I wasn't pregnant. See here.  Something about welcoming a new baby puts into perspective that your other baby isn't a baby anymore... got a little sentimental and sad thinking about how much Asher has grown.


Goals for the week: Try to do a little more cooking... now that I am feeling better I've been in the mood to bake! I think my longing for Fall will bring us some cinnamon raisin and banana bread. Maybe even try my hand at some honey butter for it!!  I love Fall!!!

With a broken heart...

As I am watched the radar on the 10 o'clock news, I opened an email from World Vision. It was a story from a World Vision global editor. She had been a journalist to Kenya for at least 5 years, where there is horrible drought and heat.  Her story was about a 3 year old boy named Ibrihim, who died the day she was in his village. They were digging his little child sized grave when she arrived. There are so many Somalians taking refuge in Kenya and there is just not enough food and clinic help to accommodate them all. Little Ibrihim was so weak from no food and water that he didn't survive the trip to the clinic to help save him.
We received a letter from our precious sponsor child, Jimmy, asking us to pray for his land. He said that it is so dry and hot that all their crops are dying.  While I think that Jimmy and his family will stay safe, there are so many that are starving and their livestock and crops are dying as well. 
Reading this and seeing the rain move in and the welcomed break from the heat that we have been blessed with, I can't help but be so sad. 
A little boy, Asher's age, with nothing to eat and because of that had to pay the ultimate price.
That seems so very unfair.
Please join me in praying desperately for this land....
They need rain, they need food... and so many other things.
Things that we take for granted everyday.
If you feel the call to donate here's a link to World Vision... there are so many ways!!!

Donate!

 “If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
   with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
   and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
   and your night will become like the noonday.
¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
   and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
   like a spring whose waters never fail.
¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
   and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
   Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."

Isaiah 58:9-12

8 weeks

Again.. no picture.
Just imagine... big enough gut to wonder but not enough to ask.

Symptoms this week: More tired and sick, though Sunday and Monday were a bit better. Still have sore things... :)

Weight gain / Cravings: I think that my cravings and such have subsided a bit... actually losing my appetite a little. Nothing sounds just wonderful. I think what adds to this is after I eat whatever.. it never feels good later.

Worries / Anxieties: None really this week. I think that I am so tired my brain is focusing on the main needs....
Though still a little anxious about house stuff.

Accomplishments for the week:We saw our OB on Monday. Baby looks great... right on target with age. She did say that it looked as if 2 eggs were fertilized but only one grew. What ya think of that?... We could have had twins! Crazy. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little relieved!

Goals for the next week: A BUSY week on my hands.... Asher gets to spend the night with his cousins as well as Gma Lisa because of events that we have going on this week. Hopefully those nights I can spend a little more time in bed and catch up!
The 2 days he's with me... we are staying home! I need to do some laundry and chores that have been put off.
Also.. I have put a poll on here to guess if we are having a boy or a girl so be sure to vote what you think little pickle will be!

7 weeks

 So.. I know some sweet mommies post a picture of their bellies each week... and while I may do this with my shirt on... (my sweet boy  found comfort in my pregnant belly but totally wrecked havoc on it!) I'm not in the mood right now. I feel and look totally tent-ish and am in that period of not looking pregnant-- just FAT.
So, this week you just get text!

This week has been a little hairy.... We have had VBS at church and other than the days that I am working I was volunteering there. I was in charge of 1-2nd grade BOYS! That says it all!! No.. they were EXCEPTIONAL!!!! Asher was all out of whack and naps were much needed for everyone this week!!!


Symptoms this week: A little tired, followed by a little nauseous, then feeling good... and repeat.
I don't get "hungry".... I get cravings and then I get sick until I eat something. After there's something in my gut.. I'm fine. Certain things are very swollen and sore.. but I have men read this too... so I'll spare the details!

Weight gain / Cravings: Well, I am sure with how tight my clothes are fitting and what I have been craving that I have gained some already. Hopefully just a couple actual pounds and the rest is just fluid. I have craved lots of salty things like Cracker Jacks, chips, Coneys ( which on normal circumstances I DO NOT eat) and Japanese Food to things like Ranch Dressing and fresh fruits and veggies. I have eaten some serious tomatoes lately!!!!!!! Home Grown... period!

Worries / Anxieties: At times I have had the weight of the world on my shoulders... I am stressing about ever selling our house, I'm stressing about raising 2 children, I'm stressing about nursing and work... you name it.. I've worried about it this week!

Accomplishments for the week: Getting through our first prenatal appointment and blood draw... ( no dry heaves this time!!!!) to surviving a week of VBS! It was great to have a tired little boy who WANTED to take a nap.. even if it was just an hour!

Goals for the next week: Get good sleep, Slow down a lot to get back in the swing of things, "Try" not to give in to my junky food cravings.... I may just live on grapes and tomatoes! (BTW, does anyone know where I could buy home grown concord grapes?), Be better about chores... because of this week's craziness my poor husband had been doing more than his share of laundry and dishes. I'm just plum pooped!
Also, Grandma Lisa gets back this week on Thursday and we can't wait to shock her and tell her that she's gonna have 2 grandbabies in 6 weeks!!

II -Again!

Well... we have waited a little longer to announce, but we are pregnant... again.
After our miscarriage we realized that we are ready sooner than later to try for number 2!
Lo and behold we NEVER thought we would get pregnant the month after!
While we are very guarded about this one... we will get happy and really excited when we see that everything is fine and developing nicely.
I have felt pretty good other than bouts of fatigue and moodiness. I know they say that you show quicker with the 2nd and I believe it. I may just be retaining more water but I already feel like I look so big!
We welcome either boy or girl into our family in March of 2012!

It's all an Illusion

So as we were watching tv last night, the special report came on the tv talking about the debt crisis in Washington.
Not being a person that keeps up much in the political realm, I had heard nothing about it! ( I know I know... I watch the news for the weather)
I see this huge header on the new report saying "Countdown to CRISIS!" 
My first thought was "geez.. let's just throw things a little out of control here why don't we media!"
But after listening to what Mr. President had to say... I must say, it did make me concerned.
This is a problem. Not only with spending unwisely for as long as we can remember...but I think it's a little deeper.

Everyone knows the race for the American Dream... financial security, nice house, nice car, nice benefits.....
 able to eat out whenever you want, shop a little here and there for un-necessary things, spoil your kids with vacations and toys.
It all sounds like what most of us strive for or even live today.
But something within me has really been struggling with this lately.
It may stem from reading a book called Radical by David Platt. (If you have not read it I highly encourage you to.) It supports a lifestyle living radically for the things of God instead of worldly possessions.

Rich and I live a modest life.... we are making sacrifices in order for me to be able to stay home, mostly, with our kids. Don't get me wrong... we have made some terrible choices in how we spend our money in the past that has left us very much living a more pinched budget. Truth be told, I think that we have more bills now than we did when I was working full time!
One thing as Americans, we love to do is spend our hard-earned or borrowed money. If it's there.. we'll spend it!
So here I was thinking about the worst case scenario when it came to the debt crisis...
and I got kinda mad.
We, as average Americans, don't have the luxury to simply go on spending more than we have. We are held accountable to our financial obligations... why should the government get off so easy?
They need to be held accountable and come up with a plan of action.
So what if they don't...?
I was thinking back to the Great Depression Days.
My husband's Grandma has a coffee-table book about this called "We had nothing but Love".
Inside are all kinds of pictures and testimonies of people who lived through the most debilitating time in our nations economy.
Everyone made their own clothes, grew their own vegetables, some raised their own meat... so on.
They were lucky to be able to go to school at that time because some of them needed to stay home to help work the farm.
No family was immune either.. it seems each family could unite in the hardships that were this time. They had ONLY the necessities. That was it.
And you know something...... they survived.
 They had faith that God would provide. They trusted on His provision for their families.
Did they have fear?... Most certainly.     Did they doubt?.... Probably so. But faith is all they had.. everything else had failed them.
We live in a country that encourages people to work their tails off to buy into the American dream. I see that many families that are ruined because of it, with credit card debt, long working hours, indulging ourselves beyond what we can afford and I'm beginning to see that it is all an illusion.
Even the government.... our foundation and security of this great country is victim to it.
The worldly mush that we hold so dear.... why that is not even sustainable.


No matter what happens, I want to be better with my money.
I want to be better about learning trades like sewing and gardening.
I want to hold dear the things that are sustainable... like love, and family, and community.
And to the utmost sustain..... Our Heavenly Father.
I trust in your provisions Father.
Help me to want the things that You do.

Or be Amish:)

To nap or not to nap....

The good ol' days

  
Let's preface this by saying that my sweet and darling son has never been a good sleeper.
Now that he is older and can sleep in his own bed for the night, he still refuses to take a nap.
In fact, knowing that we would be out late last night, I laid him down to take a little "rest" (NAP!). He laid in there for almost an hour and a half  talking, playing with his hands, asking to go potty, asking when he got to wake up... and so on. He never fell asleep.
So... I was wondering... when did your kids start weeding out their afternoon nap?
I'm afraid mine is already gone, and I'm mourning that time to do what I want to do:(

He makes everything better

So one more night without Rich!
Truth be told, we have been keeping busy with this and that so other than at night-time we don't really notice that he is gone. Most weeks he is working during the day anyways, so it feels kinda like most.
It's been a good week, I have not had too many times where I want to pull out my hair fistfuls at a time, but I have definitely realized something... He makes me better.
He does so much to take stress off of me. I have had to do every chore this week..... feed animals, take out trash, dishes, laundry.... with no help from anyone but a wee little 3 year old, who puts pull-ups in his laundry!
I'm not being whiny since I do, except the trash, do these things on a weekly basis- but we are equally responsible for them. He always helps to keep the house tidy and dishes done and laundry going.
We have a set of duties and routine that we stick to, mostly. He will clean up while I put Asher to bed and then we can chill together!

Tv shows are not as good without him, dinner is not as fun, and bedtime is much more relaxing when he is here to put my mind at ease. I never have to question whether the doors are locked or if the dryer is off. 
There is definitely a void.... Asher and I can feel it.
He just makes everything and everyone better.
We will be glad to have him home to hug!!!

A little update...

AS most of you know we have been trying to sell our house for a little over 2 years now. It was on the market for 14 months and then it has been for sale by owner since then.
After a day of house looking and covetousness and depression.... we got a call.
Apparently this lady's husband was driving around waiting for her to get off of work and happened upon our house. He loved the neighborhood and they had friends that lived there too.
She called and asked if they could look at the house.... of course we said, YES!
They came and took a look at it and loved it. There are some things that need repairing like the bathtub and a window, but Rich and I are planning to do that anyways.
There was a catch.....
When they were young the young man got a credit card..... was not the most responsible and messed up his credit hard core.
They, at first, asked for owner financing since they had tried to get a home loan a year ago and was not approved.
We knew in our hearts that it was not going to work out in anyone's favor to do that, so my Mom gave them some numbers of loan officers to call.
I called her on Sunday and she said that the lady she went to was so helpful and it looked very promising! She had to wait on a current pay stub, which will take a couple weeks as she is a hair stylist.
It is a hard thing to wait on the wings about this kind of thing. I am a planner and want to be in the know about things like this! She assured me that they would stay in touch and when they got news they would call us.
Here's my request for all of my friends......
Please pray that God's will be done in all of this. Not only do I want it to help out us, but I want this family to be happy as well. This has been our home for 5 years.... it has seen a baby grow into a sweet 3 year old. There are lots of memories here, but there comes a point when you need to move on. I know that this neighborhood and house have been a blessing to us and I'm looking forward to it blessing another family.

How I want so badly to pray that they will buy our house so that we can find one better suited for us, but I can't be impatient.... God's timing is perfect. My prayers are heard and He knows the cry of my heart.
But I can't help be but a little excited. More news to share soon!

Just the 2 of us.....

We are preparing for a week without Rich. He will be in Atlanta for a conference this coming week. I'm excited for him to be able to get away and hopefully get some relaxing time, though I do know he will miss us like crazy!This is the longest he's been away since Asher has been born.
The most challenging thing has been planning meals for the 2 of us. Spaghetti is definitely on the menu since we never get to eat it while Rich is here, for fear of him gagging. But other than that.... it's really hard to plan meals for 1 1/2! I want it to be simple since I don't have time to be cooking all the time as well as cleaning it all up. I want to be able to enjoy just Mommy and Asher time.
We will definitely try to check off some of our summer to do list, maybe take a tip from Ms. Dana and do some messy painting. Definitely spend some time with family and friends.
Hopefully we will not have time to miss Daddy too much.
Please pray for his safety traveling and that he doesn't get lost!

God, You're a Rockstar!

We had a great 4th! We were able to wake up without an alarm (heaven), and enjoyed some warm blue/strawberry muffins for breakfast. My sweet husband is a creature of routine and partly trying to prepare for a conference in Atlanta next week, so he went in to work for a bit. Asher and I got a head start on our grocery shopping for the week as well as some little firecrackers we could do with him. He has become more and more a helper at the store... meaning, he no longer wants to ride in the cart, but walk beside me and help me get things and throw them in. He was making me laugh, as well as the bystanders that could witness this little sidekick!
Came home to see that Rich was there and made a sandwich for us all. Nap time was a usual struggle, but after a week's worth of not sleeping I REALLY needed a little wink. I laid down with Asher and fought with him for about 45minutes until he and I eventually fell asleep. 30 minutes later it was time to get up. It seemed to be just what I needed, but transformed this little helper into a dark circled hellion that didn't want to do anything but swim and whine.
We decorated our cake that I baked prior to laying down and headed to my Mom's where we were gonna eat some BBQ and swim. We fully gluttoned ourselves with ribs, watermelon, pasta salad, mango salsa, and grilled pineapple. It was G-ood!
We then went to look at a house between dinner and swimming (you know the rule!). We have had our house for sale off and on the market for 2 years. Just in the last 2 months we have had some prospect that we might actually get to move! So we have been working with my Mom and she has been finding us some homes to look at. This one we really liked. It would need some work just to make it ours, but totally do-able and not necessary to live. We could do it little by little. We are still looking... praying for something to happen positive with ours. Then the real fun can begin.
We went back to Mom's and swam for about 2 hours. Asher started out this summer clinging to me like a wet cat, but has got more and more brave with each time. He was going under and floating on his back all on his own this time.  I was so proud.
We set off a few little dinky fireworks- smoke bombs, can of worms, and chickens. They sure weren't as fun as when I was a kid. Hopefully they were in Asher's eyes. We did some sparklers too... It made me nervous knowing how many finger tips I burned with those things, but Asher did great!
Going home we saw a bunch of big boomers and Asher yelled at them like I do! I'm 27 years old and fireworks still make me go Ahhhhh!!! Ohhhhhhh!!!
There was even some going off on our street! We waited outside to watch them, but they were a little too close for comfort and Asher wanted to watch from the window. They were too loud for his little ears.
  It was now bedtime when there were still booms all around. We did our normal routine and I laid with him for a bit making him feel a little more secure with all the commotion going on around. Just as I kiss him good-night, we hear the rain. In the words of Asher, "God... You're a Rockstar!"
We were able to go to sleep quick with no big boomers to disturb our precious sleepy-time!

I hope all of you had a great Independence Day!
I thank those that give sacrificially so we can celebrate this precious gift!