Monday, September 5, 2011
Surprise!
This weekend we got to tell (almost all of) our family about this perfect baby who's on its way! I went back and forth about how we'd reveal our big news. Initially I was going to buy frames for everyone, but with a severe shortage of chic grandparent and cousin frames, I decided to go a different route. I picked up bright white newborn onesies and iron on ink jet paper. A half hour on PhotoShop and I had designs for all the immediate family in our little one's life!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Michael & Me & Baby makes Three
We're PREGNANT!
We won't be announcing our exciting news to the world anytime soon, but I want to blog about this pregnancy from the beginning. I'll publish these posts after the announcement is official.
Finding Out
I have been fooled before by this body of mine. In fact, I thought I was pregnant for part of June and July. For that reason, I didn't want to be too hopeful when I felt a new kind of "twinge" or cramp in my lower abdomen on Sunday. And, when my usually early signs of my period were absent, I reminded myself that it could be psyhcosymatic. However, when my period was a no-show on it's scheduled day (August 30), I HAD to test this morning (at 4:40 a.m. because I was too excited to sleep)! (I'll be honest and say I'd already tested TWICE earlier in the week.)
That obnoxious control line practically appeared when I opened the test! I thought I'd be disappointed for yet another month, but this time the second pink line started to appear. Trying to be productive and let the test develop completely, I jumped in the shower. When I got out, there was no denying a second line. Pregnant!
I spent the next half hour or so getting ready for work and deciding how to tell Michael. When I had dreamed of telling him before there were elaborate schemes involved. When it came down to it, though, I woke him up to tell him before I left for work. His reaction was much like mine-elation mixed with disbelief. This is real. We're going to be parents. We'll be a family of three (five if you count our furry children) in May!
I feel so blessed and priveledged that I get to carry this child. I've been praying for him or her to come to us for so long, and now my prayers are that I do everything in my power to protect this little being inside me and that God protect us both.
Little baby of mine (we'll work on a nickname for you ;), know that you have always been wanted. Your father and I wanted you so badly and are so blessed to have you on your way. Of all the things I've wanted in my life, being a mother has outweighed all goals and dreams. You are loved even now that you are only the size of a poppyseed. Stay safe and warm in there and starting now and for the rest of your life, let me know if you need something. I love you.
(Ultrasound is from our first midwife appointment on 9.29.11!)
We won't be announcing our exciting news to the world anytime soon, but I want to blog about this pregnancy from the beginning. I'll publish these posts after the announcement is official.
Finding Out
I have been fooled before by this body of mine. In fact, I thought I was pregnant for part of June and July. For that reason, I didn't want to be too hopeful when I felt a new kind of "twinge" or cramp in my lower abdomen on Sunday. And, when my usually early signs of my period were absent, I reminded myself that it could be psyhcosymatic. However, when my period was a no-show on it's scheduled day (August 30), I HAD to test this morning (at 4:40 a.m. because I was too excited to sleep)! (I'll be honest and say I'd already tested TWICE earlier in the week.)
That obnoxious control line practically appeared when I opened the test! I thought I'd be disappointed for yet another month, but this time the second pink line started to appear. Trying to be productive and let the test develop completely, I jumped in the shower. When I got out, there was no denying a second line. Pregnant!
I spent the next half hour or so getting ready for work and deciding how to tell Michael. When I had dreamed of telling him before there were elaborate schemes involved. When it came down to it, though, I woke him up to tell him before I left for work. His reaction was much like mine-elation mixed with disbelief. This is real. We're going to be parents. We'll be a family of three (five if you count our furry children) in May!
I feel so blessed and priveledged that I get to carry this child. I've been praying for him or her to come to us for so long, and now my prayers are that I do everything in my power to protect this little being inside me and that God protect us both.
Little baby of mine (we'll work on a nickname for you ;), know that you have always been wanted. Your father and I wanted you so badly and are so blessed to have you on your way. Of all the things I've wanted in my life, being a mother has outweighed all goals and dreams. You are loved even now that you are only the size of a poppyseed. Stay safe and warm in there and starting now and for the rest of your life, let me know if you need something. I love you.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Everyone is fighting a harder battle...
I was going to write this long post about how I have a love-hate relationship with the 2011-2012 school year. I was going to tell you that I love (most of) my kids and am actually pretty excited about my classes. I was going to tell you that colleagues are my biggest complaint so far. I was going to tell you that once again I need focus (shocking).
All of those things are true, of course. And perhaps writing about them would be therapeutic, but the older I get, the more I try to observe the famous quote, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." And recently, I'm overwhelmed by the battles those I love are fighting.
My brother and sister-in-law are new parents and are bravely navigating the treacherous waters of both of them working outside the home. Loving them as much as we do has made watching them go through these trials heartbreaking. Knowing that when we have children we will most likely endure the same circumstances makes it terrifying. I'm so proud of them both, but also feel so helpless when it comes to the whole situation because there's truly nothing I can do to fix it/make it better.
So, I was going to tell you about how overwhelmed I was. I was going to write about how the beginning of the school year is exciting, but also sucks the life out of me. I was going to say that I feel like a failure because after six years, you'd think I'd have the answers. I was going to complain. But instead, I'll realize that people I love are truly overwhelmed. Instead, I will understand that my sister-in-law has the life sucked out of her every morning that she leaves my precious nephew at daycare. Instead, I will realize that what I told my brother is true. Often we are our toughest critics and are the only ones who see the failure.
Becky and Randy are fighting the good fight, and the fact that they are makes it easier for me to do the same.
All of those things are true, of course. And perhaps writing about them would be therapeutic, but the older I get, the more I try to observe the famous quote, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." And recently, I'm overwhelmed by the battles those I love are fighting.
My brother and sister-in-law are new parents and are bravely navigating the treacherous waters of both of them working outside the home. Loving them as much as we do has made watching them go through these trials heartbreaking. Knowing that when we have children we will most likely endure the same circumstances makes it terrifying. I'm so proud of them both, but also feel so helpless when it comes to the whole situation because there's truly nothing I can do to fix it/make it better.
So, I was going to tell you about how overwhelmed I was. I was going to write about how the beginning of the school year is exciting, but also sucks the life out of me. I was going to say that I feel like a failure because after six years, you'd think I'd have the answers. I was going to complain. But instead, I'll realize that people I love are truly overwhelmed. Instead, I will understand that my sister-in-law has the life sucked out of her every morning that she leaves my precious nephew at daycare. Instead, I will realize that what I told my brother is true. Often we are our toughest critics and are the only ones who see the failure.
Becky and Randy are fighting the good fight, and the fact that they are makes it easier for me to do the same.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Meal Plan for 8.14-8.20
At the beginning of the year, I started out with grand ideas that I would be able to: teach full time, pour my heart into starting a new business, cook dinner every night, save money, and run two blogs (not to mention be devoted to a strong marriage and maintain meaningful relationships). While many of these things happened (insert shameless plug for Signature, Ink. here), running two blogs, cooking every night, and saving money, haven't done so well. Thus, I'm just doing THIS blog, and to stay committed to cooking every night (or at least planning our meals), I'm updating you with our weekly menu. Hopefully it will save us money along the way!
8.14 Sunday--Jack Daniel's Chicken sandwiches (one of the pre-made dinners I'm okay with because it's seriously awesome!)
8.15 Monday--Italian beef (Thank you, CrockPot! Leftovers frozen for next time we have Italian beef.)
8.16 Tuesday--Shrimp linguine (1st day back to school. Crazy!
8.17 Wednesday--Chicken patties w/ Mac & Cheese (Michael's current favorite. Who needs kids when your husband eats like one?!)
8.18 Thursday--Stuffed peppers
8.19 Leftovers--Fridays will always be leftover night. We cannot eat all this food the night it's
made!
8.20 Homemade Pizza
Keep me accountable--all three of you who read this on a regular basis! :)
8.14 Sunday--Jack Daniel's Chicken sandwiches (one of the pre-made dinners I'm okay with because it's seriously awesome!)
8.15 Monday--Italian beef (Thank you, CrockPot! Leftovers frozen for next time we have Italian beef.)
8.16 Tuesday--Shrimp linguine (1st day back to school. Crazy!
8.17 Wednesday--Chicken patties w/ Mac & Cheese (Michael's current favorite. Who needs kids when your husband eats like one?!)
8.18 Thursday--Stuffed peppers
8.19 Leftovers--Fridays will always be leftover night. We cannot eat all this food the night it's
made!
8.20 Homemade Pizza
Keep me accountable--all three of you who read this on a regular basis! :)
Friday, August 5, 2011
Lazy days.
With government cutbacks impacting so much of the country, it's no surprise that our little family has been touched. For the second year in a row Michael has had to take one mandatory day off--or furlough day--for the first nineteen pay periods of the year. Are we hurting? No. Would the extra money be nice? Yes. But, ironically this is not a complaint of any kind. In fact it has afforded us mini vacations this summer because every other weekend he has three days off. The result? Lazy days.
Today will include LOTS of coffee, blogging, reading blogs, watching DVR episodes of Shark Week, playing with the dogs in the yard, and possibly hanging our new mirror from Ikea. We'll end the day with dinner with the Hoyle clan. Hope you have a lazy weekend too.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Two years & counting...
Yesterday Michael and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. It was seriously a wonderful day and evening. There are so many things about the past two years for which I am grateful, but having Michael by my side is truly what I treasure most. I'm amazed and thankful for how much we have grown separately and together in the past years. Conversations we have now wouldn't necessarily have been possible in 2009. It's strange because when I married him, I thought I knew him completely. However, since our wedding, I've been happy to discover that there's a lot that I have to learn about my husband. My guess is that he feels similarly about me. While I realize that we are, by all accounts, still in the "honeymoon" stage of our marriage, the trials and upsets that we've endured in our relationship thus far make me confident in our ability to take future challenges head on.
One thing I'm coming to love about anniversaries is that they offer us the opportunity to look back as we look ahead. Our wedding day was perfect. I'm sure most brides say that about their day, but I'm serious, it was without fault.
When I think about that day, I remember the butterflies before walking down the aisle that almost kept me from putting my blusher over my face (thanks for noticing that one, Dad!).
I remember Michael waiting for me at the front of the church looking dashing and yet, slightly nervous. I remember cursing my English major self for writing vows that seemed to last an eternity, but when I watch them now, I'm grateful that I made those promises.
I remember not caring that it was sprinkling rain as we rain to our car.
And I remember our reception, our wonderfully blemish free reception. That party holds many memories, dancing with my daddy, singing "Build Me Up Buttercup" with my sister, priceless pictures with loved ones, dancing until the lights came back on, and so many more.
But I cherish the first dance I had with my husband because "our" song is "Home," and that's just what Michael is for me.
One thing I'm coming to love about anniversaries is that they offer us the opportunity to look back as we look ahead. Our wedding day was perfect. I'm sure most brides say that about their day, but I'm serious, it was without fault.
When I think about that day, I remember the butterflies before walking down the aisle that almost kept me from putting my blusher over my face (thanks for noticing that one, Dad!).
I remember Michael waiting for me at the front of the church looking dashing and yet, slightly nervous. I remember cursing my English major self for writing vows that seemed to last an eternity, but when I watch them now, I'm grateful that I made those promises.
I remember not caring that it was sprinkling rain as we rain to our car.
And I remember our reception, our wonderfully blemish free reception. That party holds many memories, dancing with my daddy, singing "Build Me Up Buttercup" with my sister, priceless pictures with loved ones, dancing until the lights came back on, and so many more.
But I cherish the first dance I had with my husband because "our" song is "Home," and that's just what Michael is for me.
HOME
by: Chantal Kreviazuk
Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way the back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
Friday, July 8, 2011
Sumptuous Summer Ribs
Remember when Mike asked me to focus on a few things and do them well? I'm still working on it. Part of the plan is to only maintain one blog. I was a little too crazy when trying to update this blog and DD. So, everything is going to be here. Fortunately for you, there's only one blog to follow. :)
I didn't really try/like ribs until I was in my early twenties. Since then, I anxiously await trips south or summer fests for finger-lickin' good ribs because I've been too intimidated to try making them myself. Horror stories of dried out, bland meat kept me from trying. However, last year we bought a 1/4 of a grass fed cow with Mike's parents, and I still had country ribs in the freezer. It was time; I had to face my fear. Armed with the following recipes, I not only conquered the ribs, but I will never buy store bought BBQ sauce again!
Simple Country Ribs I did do a few modifications: Instead of water, I used a can of beer to cover the ribs in the stock pot. Awesome! Be sure to baste often during cooking. You can also bake these ribs in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350. Finally, I boiled down the left over sauce and saved it for later use. These came out tender and falling off the bone. Good luck!
*I found both of these recipes at allrecipes.com--It's hands down my favorite recipe website! Sign up...it's free!
I didn't really try/like ribs until I was in my early twenties. Since then, I anxiously await trips south or summer fests for finger-lickin' good ribs because I've been too intimidated to try making them myself. Horror stories of dried out, bland meat kept me from trying. However, last year we bought a 1/4 of a grass fed cow with Mike's parents, and I still had country ribs in the freezer. It was time; I had to face my fear. Armed with the following recipes, I not only conquered the ribs, but I will never buy store bought BBQ sauce again!
I didn't do process pictures this time around, but here's a quick shot of the final product.
Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce I made this sauce the day before and refrigerated it. It was SO EASY to make, and Mike said it is his new favorite BBQ sauce! I'll probably buy Mason jars to store this year round!
Ingredients
Directions
Simple Country Ribs I did do a few modifications: Instead of water, I used a can of beer to cover the ribs in the stock pot. Awesome! Be sure to baste often during cooking. You can also bake these ribs in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350. Finally, I boiled down the left over sauce and saved it for later use. These came out tender and falling off the bone. Good luck!
Ingredients
Directions
*I found both of these recipes at allrecipes.com--It's hands down my favorite recipe website! Sign up...it's free!
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