Heard at our house

If you were listening to a conversation at our house...these are a few lines you might just hear...

• No, you may NOT poop in the grass. (John has taught Joshua how to pee in the grass and of course, as a 2 year old - he wants to take it a step further and poop - like the dog does - in the grass.)


• NO MORE Puppy dog kisses! (Joshua's little puppy dog kisses - a little lick - use to be sweet, cute and innocent. Now they have turned into slobber baths!)


• Turn your music down. (Yes, even at two years old - Joshua loves to go in his room and turn on his kiddie music as loud as possible. Which as I mentioned earlier he calls - fast music.)


• It is not funny to say you are going to pee on...mommy, daddy, cat, dog...etc. (this should be a given.)


• Where did your shorts, pants, shirt, socks, etc...go? (We have a nudist)

Haven Swap

The ladies over at The Homespun Heart & With All I've been Given were kind enough to have a lovely swap that I participated in. Melody from Three Boys & A Dog was a great partner and sent me such wonderful things. My camera was still in the shop when I sent her box out so go to her site to check out what I sent her! Thanks Melody!!

P.S. I just noticed I forgot to include the picture frame she sent...I don't know how I forgot to take a picture of that as well...but there was a lovely frame too!

Seat Cover

I've been in a sewing mood lately...so I decided to upgrade the towel I've been using as a seat cover for Joshua's chair with something a little more formal and Joshua'ish. So I made this seat cover for his chair. There are straps on the back to tie to the back and on the sides to tie together underneath the seat. I used a thick fleece material for the bottom. I love having a cover on his seat since he often spills things and we do lots of crafts there so it saves my fabric seat from that mess too. And of course, this is easy to throw in the wash.

My Sweet Boy

I wish I was more consistent in blogging every day but some days just don't work out for me...so I'm trying to catch up. Anywho, Joshua loves to have his picture taken now and will tell me to take his picture if he thinks he is doing something cute. So the picture of him with the car was him trying to fit his Mr. Potato Head pieces on his car...the only thing that really worked was the glasses which he always says is "just like mommy" since I wear glasses when I don't have my contacts in. The other picture just made him look so innocent but don't be fooled. :)

Oh my!!

I just received my first award the other day then wow...I just received this other great award from Melody at Three Boys & a Dog. I'm so thrilled!!

You are supposed to give the award to 7 people. Some of these people just received the other award from me a few days ago so now they have been double awared....so I give this award to....

Sippycups are for Chardonnay

Our Sunshine Boys

Sarah
Wendi
Carrie
Natalie
Cindy

Please pass it on and let others know how much you love their blogs. :)

So close yet so far away...

I feel like I'm so close to having this baby but yet also so, so far away! It's driving me nuts. I'm SOOO ready!! The baby dropped earlier this week which made me very excited but otherwise, no change in my cervix or anything so still we wait. I have it stuck in my mind that it will be 3 weeks but I'm SOOO hoping it comes sooner. Thank goodness for a 3 day weekend to keep my mind off waiting. God is constantly teaching me patience and I continue to be a horrible student so I guess He just keeps on trying to teach me.

Pregnancy update & Nesting!

I think it's funny how different pregnancy is for everyone. All the symptoms I was expecting with pregnancy I never got...but all the ones I didn't expect - I did. I am still absolutely amazed at how God builds life through our bodies. It's so humbling to think that an actual human life is growing inside of me. I can't wait to meet our little guy!

As for an update, I'm measuring 2 weeks ahead and the baby is "locked and loaded"...okay not really, but I'm told..."in position and ready to go". My doctor and I am thinking it will be about 3-4 weeks...I'm hoping closer to 3. So we will see. I keep waiting for more "signs" that the little tike is ready to show his pretty little face...but haven't had many.

I am in nesting mode...but it's interesting how even nesting manifests itself in different ways. Nesting for me means stockpiling. For whatever reason, I feel it's necessary to stockpile everything. As if when the baby comes I nor anyone around me will have access to a grocery store what so ever...so I feel it's necessary to have crazy amounts of all things on hand. The instinct is also so strong I really can't NOT stockpile. I have even felt the need to make sure that all of Joshua's fall clothing has been purchased. But I am feeling pretty on top of everything right now. I haven't been cleaning all that much...just stockpiling...maybe the cleaning instinct is yet to come.

Finally, here is my 35 week pregnant belly pic.

Looky, looky!

I was just honored with a Gold 'Blogging Friends Forever' award! Our Sonshine Boys was kind enough to bestow this award on my blog. Thank you!!

Now it's my turn to spread the wealth!

The Blogging Friends Forever Rules are:

1. Only five people allowed.

2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog.

3. One has to be someone new, or recently new to your blog, or live in another part of the world.

4. You must link back to whoever gave you the 'Blogging Friends Forever' award.

Here are my chosen ones!

Sarah

Wendi

Carrie

Natalie

Cindy

Congratulations, Blogging Friends!

Now go forth and share your newly-won Gold Card with your Blogging Friends!

Freezer Meals Part 2

I am so tickled to already have 7 meals in my freezer. I'm sure it will be such a huge relief to have things already prepared and have one less thing to worry about as I adjust to becoming a mother of two! This week I made Chicken Enchiladas & Baked Ziti for the fridge. I have yet to make any bread for the freezer yet - but it's still on my list.

Chicken Enchiladas (This is an adaptation of an allrecipes.com recipe)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tbsp margarine
1/2 onion diced
1 tsp taco seasoning
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chile peppers
8 flour tortillas (large ones)
1 cup shredded Cheddar

Mix chicken soup & sour cream in small bowl. Set aside. Melt margarine in saucepan and saute onion & taco seasoning until tender. Add in chicken, peppers, and 2 tbsp of the soup mixture. Spoon 1/2 the soup mix in bottom of pan. I actually did 2- 8 x 8 pans and divided the soup in 1/4. Fill tortillas with 1/4 cup of mix. I put 4 tortillas in each of the pans. Cover with remaining soup and cheese. I cooked one that night and put the other in the freezer.

To bake from freezer. Thaw - cook in preheated at 350 for 25 minutes.

We both really liked this recipe!

Baked Ziti (This isn't very fancy but it's delicious!)
1 lb ground beef
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 - 8 oz container sour cream
2 cups cooked ziti noodles
2 cups mozzarella cheese
seasonings of your choice

Cook & drain ground beef - add spaghetti sauce. Layer 1/2 sauce/meat mix, 1/2 sour cream, 1/2 noodles, then 1/2 cheese. Repeat. Cook at 375 for 30 minutes. To freeze - freeze and cook frozen for about an hour.

Proverbs 31 Crafts

I have always loved Proverbs 31 and have especially become fond of it as a wife & mother as it speaks to the woman I strive to be. Monica at The Homespun Heart has been doing an amazing craft series focused on Proverbs 31 so I wanted to post a link to it and encourage you to take a look. I haven't had a chance to do any of the crafts yet, but am anxiously looking forward to as they are really great!

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:10-31

My son hardly sleeps...

I have a 2 year old that only needs 9 hours of sleep a day...and it exhausts me. Thank goodness he is a happy child!

Freezer Meals - Part 1

As part of my preparations for the new baby, I have started planning & making some freezer meals to have on hand. I searched and found a ton of useful websites with lots of freezer meal ideas & recipes. I'm trying to take it slow so to start I baked 7 boneless chicken breasts yesterday and shredded them. Today I used the chicken to make 2 Chicken Pot Pies & Caesar Chicken Casserole.

Chicken Pot Pies
4 shredded/cooked breasts of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can veg-all (large)
salt
pepper
garlic powder
4 pie crusts

Mix ingredients together and split into 2 pie crusts. Cover with the other. Wrap & freeze. To bake: Thaw 1 1/2 hours then bake at 350 for 1 hour & 15 minutes.


Caesar Chicken Casserole Recipe was found at momsbudget.com here but I did modify mine..here is my modified recipe.

3 shredded/cooked chicken breasts
1/4 cup minced onions
1/3 cup light creamy Caesar dressing
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, grated
1 - 12-oz package tubed pasta (such as penne or macaroni), cooked and drained
1/4 cup croutons

Combine all ingredients but croutons, mixing well, in a 2 quart baking dish. Allow to cool and freeze. From freezer: Thaw casserole. Top with crushed croutons and bake in 350F preheated oven for 30 minutes or until topping is browned and casserole is bubbly.

I also made these Chocolate Chip Cookies this week and froze them. I did find I needed to cook them a little longer than stated - like 12-13 minutes but they are really good. Also, out of the freezer I found you can cut and bake them frozen and they turn out great!

Some of the great websites I found for freezer meals are listed below:

• The Freezer Chicks
• Mom's Budget
• Southern Living
• Mrs.Pear at Home
• Kids Cooking Activities

Next week I plan on making Baked Ziti & Bread for the freezer.

New Layout

Isn't my new layout pretty??? I'm so excited about it. Three Boys & a Dog recently changed her layout and recommended the free backgrounds at The Cutest Blog on the Block...so I went to check it out and it was SUPER easy to do and had lots of cute backgrounds. How fun!

Simplicity

At dinner last night we asked Joshua to pray for our food...which usually goes like this, mind you this is always said at WARP SPEED..."Jesus, thank you for our food, Amen." But last night, Joshua added in "thank you for Stegosauruses & triangles, Amen".

I love the simplicity of a child's prayer and what it can teach us. I think too often I get wrapped up in all the obvious prayer requests and needs and don't stop enough to thank God for the little things in life - like "Stegosauruses & triangles". So last night as we sat outside to play and "eat pickles (popsicles)" I couldn't help but be so incredibly thankful for my life. Things might not always go perfectly but we are so blissfully happy with our lives. I am so thankful that I get to stay home with Joshua and watch him giggle and play. I'm so delighted in how great a dad John is. I love that the simplicity of our lives means that sitting at home just being together as a family is more than enough for us. That we really need nothing more than "Stegosauruses & triangles."

"Always be joyful in the Lord! I'll say it again: Be joyful!"- Phil 4:4

My camera

My camera has been draining batteries like crazy all of a sudden so it is off to the shop. It's still under warranty so I wanted to get it in before the warranty runs out on Aug 24th. They said they will have it back to me in 10 business days which I am hoping is true...cause if not I'll be hijacking some one's camera on the way to the hospital if it's not here before the baby comes. Anyways, so sorry there will be no pictures for a couple of weeks. Now, I'm off to enjoy another beautiful day!

It is GORGEOUS outside!

We have spent pretty much all morning outside enjoying some very fall like weather. I turned off the air and have had the windows open too. It is incredible how beautiful it is!! Of course, the only downside is how much it's spoiling me for fall already. I'm ready for Harvest festivals, apples, pumpkins, cinnamon, and crisp morning air!!

Songs

Joshua loves to sing and is actually quite good at it. However, yesterday, while I was singing "Jesus loves me" to him he quickly corrected me that the song goes, "Jesus loves Josh-ooo-a". So in case you didn't know, make a mental note because the lyrics of the song have officially been changed.

Yay - we can finally buy groceries again!

"We're probably going to see gasoline at the retail level around $3.50 for Labor Day," said James Cordier, president of Tampa-based trading firms Liberty Trading Group and OptionSellers.com.

Whoever thought I'd be so excited to see that gas might actually go down to $3.50 a gallon!!

Preparing...

It's amazing how much preparing there is for a second child. Most of my preparations include getting Joshua ready for the big change. Every day seems like a new lesson in independence for him which makes me so sad. I want him to be my baby forever and now I have no choice but to have him be more and more independent. He is now totally in his big boy bed and I would venture to say potty trained. I'm working on getting him to not have me carry him everywhere and get into his car seat by himself.

I know I am not alone in the apprehension of the change of going from a family of 3 to 4. We have such a rhythm now with the 3 of us and now everywhere I go I try to imagine what it will be like when I have to tote 2 kids instead of one. Simple tasks like running into the store for a gallon of milk won't be quite as simple having to lug a baby and a 2 year old. But really I'm also a little sad that we will have to share our attention with another child. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled about the new baby, I'm just sad for Joshua as I know he will have his world turned upside down. I'm sure he will be excited at first, but I know there will be lots of adjustments for him and I'm sure he will have times when he wants more attention then we will be able to give him. In the long run, I know he will gain so much from having a baby brother it just seems almost like the end of an era.

Our Little Monkey

Hot!

I am officially HOT! Yes, it was 95 yesterday and is supposed to be 95 again today...but I am hot sitting still in a perfectly good air conditioned home. Thankfully we are at the point in the year where every day is supposed to be getting a little bit cooler now. YAY! Weather.com says that the week I'm supposed to deliver this baby the average highs will be between 78-80. I am PRAYING that is true. Being in my 3rd trimester the hottest time of the year is just misearble. Only about 6 weeks now though so I'm truly counting the days at this point and thinking if the baby wants to come a week or two early I'd take that too. :)

Taco Chicken Cheese Dip

This is an absolutely delicious dip. Serve with tortilla chips.

2 8oz. pkgs. Cream cheese
1 Pkg. Sharp cheddar shredded cheese
1 can diced chiles
1 lg. Can or 2 sm. Cans chunk white chicken (use all white meat)
1 pkg taco seasoning mix

Mix all together and bake for 45 mins at 350 degrees.

In Memory of my mom

Tomorrow would have been my mom's 59th birthday. It was so incredibly hard losing her last year and this year is bitter sweet as I know I will welcome our new son in several weeks but she won't be here with us. But I can't help but think that she had something to do with this miracle baby that I'm carrying. Anyways, I found this sweet poem that I wanted to put up in her memory. Happy Birthday Mom!!

"Happy Birthday Mother"

It's sure to be the best one yet,

Though you left me here behind.

Did you think that I'd forget?

Your cake this year, will surely be,

A beauty to behold.

With the icing made of Silver,

And the candles made of Gold.

Yes your birthday in Heaven,

Will be such a grand affair.

And I know you'll look so lovely,

With a halo in your hair.

The Angels will come from everywhere,

To sing your birthday song.

And I know they'll be so happy,

That you've joined, God's Happy Throng.

No I can't send a card this year,

Or give a gift so fine.

So I'll just send a special prayer,

To that wonderful mother of mine.

By Winnie Lovett 1968

P.S. - This picture is about 13 years old...but I love it!