I'm Just Glad It's Not Monday

Another day at home. Bryan took the truck again today, and I am stuck. But I am really going to be lazy today, because I finished the laundry yesterday and we are going to have a really busy weekend starting tomorrow. My poor kids are so bored, but tomorrow they will get to spend the day with their cousins. Bryan and I are going to Cape Disappointment tomorrow so that he can sign for the boat when it gets delivered. He will have to go back down on Monday for the actual delivery to the Coast Guard.

I go a letter from my Doctor yesterday (I just opened it this morning) and the results of my lab work came back. They said I am extremely anemic, and I now have to take an extra 3 iron supplements per-day on top of the iron in my prenatal!! 3!! I am going to do my best in hopes of feeling a little better and getting rid of the headaches I have been having. Bummer. 3.

I was trying to come up with a color scheme for the baby's room/bedding yesterday, because I am planning on doing a lot of it myself. So I posted some pictures of some really awesome nurseries that I found online. What do you think? I am excited to share some of my projects as they come along. They will be little because we don't have much space right now. We won't really do big nursery stuff until we move in the spring.

I haven't talked about food very much lately, mostly because I haven't been doing a lot of cooking. So today I am going to feature 3 EASY things for mom's who are tired, busy, pregnant, or in a hurry.

Barbecue Chicken and Ham Rolls:

What you need- thinly cut boneless skinless chicken breasts, thick sliced deli ham, BBQ sauce, and toothpicks

Lay a slice of deli ham on a chicken breast, roll from one end to the other and stick a toothpick through it. Repeat with as many chicken breasts as you are planning to use. Place all chicken/ham rolls in baking dish. Poor bottle of BBQ sauce over the rolls to cover them completely. Cover dish with lid or foil. Bake covered 375 degrees for about 25 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake another 10-15 minutes or until thoroughly cooked inside and out.

Serve with your favorite style of potatoes.

Taco Salad:

Everybody knows how to make taco salad!! But here is a list of what I put in mine-

Organic ground beef cooked with taco seasoning, cheddar cheese, Texas Style Ranch Beans, whole kernel canned corn, crunched Doritos, lettuce, Catalina salad dressing.

Bacon Ranch Club Pasta Salad:

Your preferred pasta salad noodle (spiral, shell, wagon wheel, macaroni, etc) mixed with-

freshly cooked and crumbled bacon, grilled chicken chopped or cubed, thickly cut deli turkey (honey is great) chopped, cheddar cheese shredded or cubed, ranch dressing (bottle is fine but homemade from a packet tastes best)

So there you have it. Not glamorous, but life so often isn't. I hope I have given you some ideas. And from my experience this is stuff guys like for some reason, and the salads make really good lunches to take to work the next day.

I am sure I will get more creative once the season changes. I'm a little burnt out on summertime in general. Fall is really my favorite time of year, and I am excited to share some of my favorite meals, drinks and snacks. Mmmmm. warm fall food, I can smell it now. ((sigh))

"Lord, please help me to see this day at home as a chance to relax and enjoy my kids. I also know that sometimes what I think is going to be a normal day can turn out to be something else. I will take each moment one at a time. Give me patience to be in the house with these boys again today, I know I'm gonna need it. Amen."

Yesterday was such a pleasant surprise. I had a last minute ultrasound at 3:30 in the afternoon that showed with out a doubt

WE'RE HAVING A GIRL!!!

LUCY CLOVER

So today I don't even know what to do with myself. I keep looking and the pictures but it just doesn't feel real. After Aiden's back to school shopping is done it is going to be time to start buying some girl things. I am so ready to head over to my favorite boutique Sugar Babies, I have had a running mental list of adorable little things I want to get there.

This is going to be a whole new challenge. But this girl is lucky, because she has 2 older brothers to look out for her. And I know this is silly but because they are so close in age (like Aiden and Nolan) I like to say their names together. The babies: Jack and Lucy.

So obviously I am in la-la-land today.

Before getting pregnant this time, Bryan and I decided we were officially done having kids. After loosing Nolan and 6 miscarriages, we were tired. We were also content with our 2 boys. I had been loosing weight, and feeling really comfortable with life. Bryan and I had plans to go to Corpus Christi in January (ha ha). Well, Aiden had two friends who had new babies at their houses. So he asked me if he would ever have another brother or sister. I told him "no, mommy and daddy are very happy with just you and Jack and we aren't planning on having any more babies". So he told me "I'm going to pray that Jesus will reach in and pull one more baby out of your tummy". I laughed. Then only 2 weeks later I was sitting him down telling him "guess what, mommy has a new baby in her tummy". "I knew it", he said, "I prayed to Jesus for a baby sister, and it really happened!" God answers our children's prayers! I just thought it was so funny that now, I know that despite my plans, God was listening to my 5 year old!

And to make yesterday an even cooler day the new Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie trailer was released (finally) . It can be seen on aol.com. So that was just a bonus.

As for today, well Bryan took my truck to work so I am stuck here with 2 kids who woke up way to early. That's okay, I am feeling pretty productive and have some housework to do so that I can enjoy all the fun things I am going to do this week/weekend.

I am going to upload my ultrasound pics this weekend, I don't have a scanner here. There was a really cute face pic and one where you can see the whole spine and Lucy is all curled up with her butt up.

Ahhh. Everybody have a great day :)

"Dear Lord, thank you. Amen."

Artsy Crafty

Pregnancy really does strange things to me. I'm not usually a crafty person. I like to draw and paint, but that's about it.
This morning when I woke up, I opened my eyes and the first thought in my brain was "I want to go to Ben Franklin". I was laying there thinking about making decorative wall hangings for the kids rooms. That may have something to do with us settling on a name for the baby (that is if our predictions are proven correct). And if you read my blog yesterday you probably would have gotten the hint that I am nesting pretty badly and have no "nest" of my own for several more months. So I guess the next best thing to decorating a nursery would be making things for the baby.
Now I am on a rampage. I am going to head to Borders first to get some decorating books and then to Ben Franklin to get a craft started. Sooooo unlike me.

Anybody else ready for the rain today? I am. I'm not a summer person and all I can think about lately is "only six more weeks 'til FALL". Summer is just too cheerful for me. I like weather that is a little more dark and introspective. Summer is too conducive to social interaction and outdoorsmanship. Ha ha. And don't misunderstand me, I don't like cold dreary weather because I like to be sad or depressed, it just happens to have the opposite effect on me. I like fire places, hot drinks, short days, and that smell outside. Ahh.

Sorry, I digress there for a minute. Time to go find a craft!

"Lord, help me to be a productive wife and mom today. Not just by doing busy work, but by meeting the needs of my family.
Thank you for rainy days. Thank you for the chance for catching up on laundry, reading lots of books , and staying at home that rainy days bring. Bless us today, in all the ways that we are seeking you. Amen".

Be in the world but not of the world.

I am really going to make a point to talk about what is truthfully on my mind on this blog, otherwise, what's the point?
So here here goes.
About two months ago Bryan and I made the decision to leave our rental house and move in with my mother in law. This decision was based on long standing financial issues that were not going away on their own. Most problems developing after leaving active duty a couple years ago. Also impacted by the current attempt to short sale our house in New York (which we have been sitting on all this time) and the news that we are having another addition to the family. So co-habitation was a win win situation for everyone involved (we are helping her financially as well).
I took over the finances (which I should have years ago) a couple months ago and I must say it is a much better fit for me than for Bryan. So we sat down last weekend and talked about how much progress we have made, what are goals are, and what needs to happen next. I am proud to say that we have downsized and our only current debt (not counting utilities) is our one truck. We have personal debts that still have to be settled, and we need to begin to rebuild our savings (which was depleted when we relocated back to Washington).
The main point of this is that we also sat down to determine how long we are going to plan to continue to co-habitate. I knew the answer. It was all very clear and logical. I had crunched the numbers myself. "At least 8 months would be ideal", I told them. Bryan and his mom agreed and felt very positive about this statement. I on the other hand, didn't want to hear what I was saying out loud. Baby is due in January, we aren't planning to start looking at houses until March. I couldn't help the disappointment.
So yesterday I was moping. I'm the only one who has any negative feelings about this situation. We have plenty of space where we are. I have daily help with kids and house work. It should be ideal. But the one problem for me. There isn't anywhere for a nursery. No where to put baby things. It's not because I want to by things, or about the materialism of it all. It's about planning, nesting, anticipating.
Once we move the baby will be a couple months old and ready for his/her own room. Everything really does fit together well. It just isn't what I was hoping for. It's not the dream come true. That's the way life is. And I know how much better we are going to be for sticking this one out. For our kids. It just hurts a little.
I would love to hear from any of my buddies who have or are having financial issues. Whether you need some advice on how we eliminated our debt, or just want to vent. E-mail me.

"Lord, help me to begin this week with a thankful attitude. Help me to be content with each special moment and not be worried about the future. Also help me to remember that I live in America, and I don't really know what real wanting or hunger is like. Help me also to be more concerned with how I am blessing those around me and not what I am getting for myself. Amen."

I've been waiting for this sermon all week!

I just want to challenge all my girls out there to do something really nice and unexpected for your husbands this week. We have been talking about marriage in church the past few weeks, and last week was about understanding men's needs. So yesterday Bryan had to work (on Saturday) and I decided to do something for him. I went and bought him these really nice shoes he had been wanting for work, but didn't have the money for. I do the budget so I just made it fit. I just set them on the bed so he would see them when he got home. Not only did it make his day, but it made mine too. Now he has snazzy new shoes to wear on his business trip this week..
So what you should do right now is come up with a plan. It works best if it is something that is totally surprising coming from you (for example I am really tight with money so buying those shoes for him out of the blue was shocking). Ideas: mow the lawn while he is at work, rent his favorite movie (even if it wreaks of testosterone) or take him on a surprise trip to Renton Motor Sports (just to look of course).
I know how we tend to think, ladies. We are sitting around waiting for him to do or say the perfect romantic thing. But while we are waiting we forget to show him special attention. If you want his undivided attention sometimes you have to go out of your way to get it.
And one last idea on the same subject. Next time you are at the grocery stock up on romantic and supportive cards. If he has a long day at work pull out an "I support you" card and leave it on his pillow. If its just some random day, leave him a sappy "I love you"card. Trust me, he'll appreciate this more than you can guess (even if he stinks at showing it).
So Today's topic at church is understanding women's needs. I'm so excited! Bryan actually has the day off so he can go with me!! If there is anyone out there who doesn't already have plans for this morning this is your formal invite to Bethany Baptist on South Hill. We go to the service that starts at 10:00am. I'm really excited about this one.

"Lord bless this day with my family. Help us to soak up and enjoy every moment together. Please help my kids to obey in their Sunday School classes!
Provide for us in the week ahead, and continue to open doors. And when difficulties come along give us peace and help us to never stop learning. Amen"

I like mornings

Mornings are probably my favorite time of day. I try to get up before my kids, although pregnancy and having early bird children make it tricky lately. I think most kids wake up earlier during the summer. I always look forward to fall (which is hands down my favorite month anyway)and shorter days so they will go back to the old routine.
Anyway, I like mornings because I am an introvert and I need quiet time to sit and think. It probably looks weird, because I can just stare out a window, or sit at the kitchen table with my coffee. I've been doing this as long as I have been a mom.
This morning I was thinking about a dear friend of mine who had a special treatment for thyroid cancer yesterday. I thought about a lot of the things she has taught me. I thought about how right now I have no sage advice for her the way she has always had for me when we have gone through like experiences. She is so beautiful, please everyone pray for her this morning that she won't have to be quarantined from her family ever again. I know she's brave, but it hurts just to think about her being alone.
I was also thinking about our family getting bigger. I love my Aiden and Jack so much. I have been pretty out of touch with this pregnancy. Maybe because it is my 4Th and it just feels like I have been pregnant 5 years strait. Or maybe it was the losses leading up to this pregnancy that have made it difficult for me to believe or feel excited. I dunno. But every once in a while it dawns on me. And I have a moment of joy. You know, not happiness, but JOY. I don't know what else to say.
Anyway, this all turned out to be really sappy (something I can only achieve with help of pregnancy hormones).
Yesterday I felt like a super hero. That super-high-energy part of pregnancy has really set in. I got up at 5. By eight we were dressed and on our way. We went to the bank, the grocery, and Borders (our favorite hang out). Then after coming home to drop off the groceries we loaded back up and went back to Top Foods because Aiden left his DS there. Then we went to the post office. I came home and did all the prep work for dinner, put away all our clean clothes. Cleaned the bedrooms and bathrooms. Cleaned the kitchen. I did lots of odds and ends. Fed the kids, gave them baths, and finally sat down at about 6:30. This isn't to brag, because anyone who knows me knows that I am not like this everyday. It is one of those freak things that will probably happen often over the past few months. I'm always organized, but that doesn't mean that I try to do everything all in one day!
I hope everyone has a lovely summer day, even though it will probably be cloudy.

"Lord, thank you for our children. Even though the time we may spend with them here may be short. They are one of the ways you have taught us about real joy. And I know that is because of you. Help us to be loving parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends today. Amen"

Here is one last little tidbit for today. I have been trying to teach Jack how to spell his name, J-A-C-K. Well, his interpretation is K-K-K. Not joking. I have been really annunciating the "jaaaay", but we haven't quite fixed it yet. Oh dear.

I have internet!

I'm back from the dark ages before Al Gore invented the Internet. I have really missed sharing little personal moments with all of you. It's just as well, though, because I have been really out of it and just seem to have recovered yesterday.
First of all, I must thank my mom for my personal recovery from gloom. She bought me a new cappuccino maker last weekend and it has done wonders for my morning routine.
Secondly, I thank all the people at Quest Diagnostics for taking about a litre of my blood yesterday. Going to the lab in Puyallup was the first "alone time" I have had in weeks. And by the time I went back to get my kids I was smiling. I was just... happy. And that's when I realized I haven't had any quiet time to regenerate in weeks. I really need to have outings alone more often.
Anyway, this is all just rambling. Congratulations to Keren on the birth of her daughter Norah this past week. Congrats also to Michelle who found out she is expecting a girl in December, and also to Jen who found out she is having a boy also in December!
And as for me, well, we think we know what we are having. I had an ultrasound last week. But I'm not going to go completely public with that yet. I just want to be sure. I'm having another scan in a few weeks. But I will say that baby seems to be healthy and appears to have KIDNEYS and plenty of amniotic fluid!! This gives everyone a chance to vote or change their vote. I'm going to try to post a picture from the u/s that may help your guesses if you are good at seeing those things.
Moving on to one of my other kids.... Aiden is getting signed up for Kindergarten!! I filled out his paper work, and just got a new copy of his birth certificate in the mail. I can't hardly believe it's just a few weeks away! I am so excited for him. I know this is something a lot of moms cry over and struggle with, but I'm really not. I loved kindergarten and I am so excited that he is going to begin a new journey in the world. I can't wait for him to learn how to read, and have new friends. I'm just so happy for him. We are doing school shopping in two weeks. This is going to be so fun. crayons, and paper, and new clothes and shoes! So fun.
I have so many other things I would love to blog about, but I don't want to make it too long. So now that everyone has been updated I am going to go back to writing about day to day things that all of you either find helpful or boring. I've really been wanting to revisit the topic of finances, so I'm sure that will be happening soon (so anyone who finds that topic uncomfortable BEWARE)

"Lord. bless the poor in spirit today. Some of us are weary of our day to day routines. Some are facing new challenges. Some are having health problems. I pray that your will be done and that you would provide peace to all those who need it today. Hold my friends close. Amen."

I don't really have anything real to blog about, but I figured I would just write so that everyone would know that I am still alive.
I was in my friend Jen's wedding this past Saturday, everything went smoothly. My feet got pretty swollen, and I think it was like 85 degrees outside.
The boys were really wired this morning so I brought them over to my mom's so they could play in the sprinkler and use some energy.
Really, I'm having one of those days when I just can't think strait. I am seriously hoping for an ultrasound this week but I don't know if that will happen. People have started to notice that I am pregnant with out me saying something first, which is something I wasn't really ready for yet. But that's the way it goes, and I am really trying to just go with the flow.
I hope everyone is enjoying good weather today.

"Dear Lord, help me to enjoy each moment as it comes and not dwell in the past or future, but in the present, right where I'm at. PLEASE, fill me with extra patience and love for my kids, because days like today I sometimes think I've run out. Thank you for this sunshine. Amen"

My mini vacation is ending

I'm a little sad and a little ready to go home today. We have been here at my parents house on Tapps Island since last Tuesday night. We had fun playing outside, watering the flowers, sitting on the porch, using the cappuccino maker, and so many other little things. But this place was so stink'n hard to keep clean with the boys running around.
Hopefully we will get a couple of little vacations to the beach in before the end of the summer. Bryan will be delivering boat #2 to Cape Disappointment down near the mouth of the Columbia in August. And we are going to the Smooth Jazz Festival at Chateau St Michelle in August!
Anyway, due to packing I didn't cook last night, but I plan to get back in the creative swing this week. I still have A LOT of meat from the butcher and I think I will be able to go about two more weeks with out going back! This is turning out to be quite economical!
Well, before I go and pack up here I just wanted to add to all my blogspot and myspace friends that I have a new computer set up at home (finally after the last one quit) but I haven't called to have service hooked up yet, so I will probably be offline for a few days.

Happy Wednesday and everybody have a great week and weekend (4 days until Jen's wedding!!)

"Lord, give me strength to get my chores done today! I am going to choose not to be overwhelmed by my workload and lack of energy, because I know it will all get done somehow. Thank you for vacations, and thank you for going home. Bless my friends who need to hear you today. Amen"

ReCap of My Meat Adventures

I just wanted to go ahead and add a re cap of the Meat adventures portions of my myspace blog. I recently decided to start going to an organic butcher instead of buying meat from the grocery store. I have created several new meals along the way (I don't use recipes, I have been inventing things that are new to me) So here is the re cap:

July 2
So I have to say that dinner last night was one of the best ever. I made stuffed pork chops (bone in). Yeah, there was a point while making them when I thought "this better be worth it", and really it was. The filling I made was butter, golden raisins, diced apples, chopped walnuts, sage, and bread crumbs. I cooked that together first and stirred in the bread crumbs. Stuffing the chops was not easy, but you have to use a really thin paring knife. Then I rubbed the outside with olive oil and salt. Wrapped them tight in cellophane. I took them out of the fridge a good hour before grilling so they were at room temp. I topped them with ga sprinkling of goat cheese while they were hot. No steak sauce needed. On the side I made a manderine almond salad with orange poppyseed dressing.
Yeah, it was good. Try it if you're brave. I didn't use a recipe, so, good luck!

July3
So the meat saga continues:
London Broil. What is a London broil? Well, technically it's actually a style of cooking a Top Round. This is a pretty tough lean cut of meat, and would otherwise probably go in a stew or something. Soo... I made a "brine" (which technically should have alot more sugar in it) to marinate with. Vinegar, redwine, olive oil, worstechershire, soy sauce, paprika, oregano, a couple other various spices to my prefference (I don't remember what smelled right at the time) and brown mustard. Put is in a big ziplock, but the meat in, put it in a tray in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
So last night I took it out of the fridge, let it sit out for a good hour to come to room temp. I grilled it on high heat until medium rare, or about 8-10 min on either side.
When you are done and take it off the grill let it stand. Slice on dialonal against the grain. The strips will be brown and well seasoned around the edges and nice and pink in the middle.
I served with grilled potatoes that I simply coated in olive oil an sprinkled with some Johnny's Seasoning Salt.
So there you have it, chapter 2 of my Meat cooking experience. London Broil is very inexpensive and when cooked properly can be like a cheap steak (it will never be a filet minon).

July 4
I wasn't up for much cooking time so I made this one simple. Chicken quarters, rosemary, olive oil, and a rotisserie. It looked so pretty and fancy, and really I did nothing. The rotisserie makes all the diffence in taste on this one though. Grilling or baking wouldn't have been the same. And we had pasta salad on the side. And a cherry pie for dessert (that I bought for $1 at the Plush Pippin outlet in Kent). So it all worked out and I spent about five minutes on my feet. Perfect.

Today:
I did finally invent a new meat marvel last night. I really liked this one too. Barbeque burgers: ground beef, breadcrumbs, bbq sauce, fried onions (like you put on top of greenbean casserole) Nead it all together and form into patties. Grillem. They are great with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and bacon. We had Texas syle Ranch beans on the side. The burgers were very moist and tasty because of the breadcrumbs and sauce. Mmmm. I was really craving a good burger. This was sooo simple and I recomend it 100%

Consider yourself updated!

The Blog World

It seems like everyone I know has a blog now. I have had a blog for a while on myspace and I guess it is progressing into this. I literally had 3 friends email me their new blogspot links just this week. Well, this way I can leave people comments and stay in the know. I know that I won't get around to posting everyday. I also have a tendency to get personal sometimes, I'm really open like that. I mean, why not, most people already know the most painful parts of my life as it is.
So having that said, welcome to my new blog. For anyone who doesn't already know, here is the update on my life:
Bryan and I have been married for about 6 1/2 years. He is my best (and sometimes only) friend. We have been through so much together that no one else will ever understand. I am so lucky. We have had three boys; Aiden 5, Jack 1 1/2, and Nolan is our angel baby who went to heaven March 21st 2005 when he was 2 hours old. And now we have another baby on the way. This one has been a huge surprise and I am still adjusting (and will probably complain a lot). I will talk more about all that some other time.
We are now living back in our home town of Sumner, Washington.
We have had so many changes, surprises, and struggles over the past few years. I am trying to look ahead now, but my past is always close behind, and has shaped me into who I am now. God has allowed all my experiences, good and bad, and sometimes it is for no other reason than for his glory. I like to philosophize and theorize about life's meanings and details, but sometimes it comes back around to "the world is an imperfect place".
So good luck following along with this blog. Some days I may write about what new creation I made for dinner last night, and others I may write about the faults I have found in the modern Christian Church. (it's a large gap to bridge I know, but I'm a thinker)
I would like to make an attempt to end each blog in a personal prayer for the day, maybe based on what is going on in my life. Someone else out there may need it too.



"Lord and Father, you are the only creator, and so I thank you for the sunshine today. Let everything I say and express here is this public place be honoring, honest, and kind. Whatever I do is yours. Amen"