Happy Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving from my wild bunch of turkeys!

Thankful for 2012 Edition

Faith:
I am thankful for Proverbs 31 Ministry.  I have mentioned on my blog several times that I get their daily emails and it's jut a great way to start my day. 

Kevin:
I have become a very practical person since getting married and having kids, so Kevin helps bring fun into daily life.  I tend to want to do dishes or laundry or clean something (sometimes you just don't have time for fun!), but Kevin makes me stop what I'm doing and have fun with the family.  It's a good balance :)

My Little People:
Im thankful for one on one time with the kids.  Kevin and I have tried to make that important, especially since Krissy got here.  The kids love it and the parents love it.   

Things that Make me Happy:
Chocolate.  Chocolate makes me happy.  I wish it didn't; I wish I could take it or leave it.  Anything from Stephen Libs is my favorite.  I think I need to go get some chocolate Santa's now that I think about it. 

Conveniences:
We ended up getting our cable tv back.  I told Kevin I think it should be just temporary because I loved not having it.  I agreed to get it back because I was staying up late with Krissy and I was having a hard time staying awake.  I enjoy the entertainment (especially all the movies they play on the weekends).

November's Mid Month Update

Outside my window . . .It's a sunny, beautiful, fall day with temps in the high 40s

I am thinking . . . every year since I can remember, my Christmas decorations get put up the first week of November.  This year, I just realized I'm half way through the month and decorating my house wasn't even on my radar!  I'm hoping this weekend to get them up... we'll see how that goes!

I am thankful for . . .nap time.  Usually the girls will both nap at the same time in the afternoon, and I can occupy Hayden with the tv, so I have some time to read, do dishes, get dinner ready, or nap if I have to.

In the kitchen . . .we have a section on the counter designated for clean bottles and all their pieces.  We let them air dry there.  I have 10 more months of sharing my counter with the bottles, and that doesn't excite me.

I am wearing . . . jeans, uggs, a button up shirt, and a white scarf.  It's the most put together I've been in a while.  (Hayden had a Thanksgiving program today that I went to.)

I am creating . . .several little sewing projects!  I have most of the things cut and pinned and sitting on my counter ready to be sewn.... now if I could just find the time.

I am going . . .to be in birthday mode this weekend.  My sister's birthday is tomorrow and Kevin's is Saturday!

I am wondering . . .why Krissy is spitting up so much!  I've read up on the issue and I'm trying some different things, but nothing really seems to be working.  I guess she is just going to be a baby that spits up a lot?  Also, I'm considering rejoining Weight Watchers.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to stick to it without joining.  I also don't know that I'll stick with the plan if I'm still not sleeping consistently at night.  I'm ready to lose this last 20 some pounds though.

I am reading . . . Sacred Marriage - it's a great book!

I am hoping . . .Kevin gets a deer asap.  I know he is wanting the meat this year, and I'm wanting him back home on the weekends to take care of Krissy so I can sleep.  I'm selfish, I know. 

I am looking forward to . . .the month of December.  I'm excited to bake, have the kids open gifts, see family, etc.

I am hearing . . .the tv and baby's swing.  I'm extra tired today so I think I'll be taking a nap once I'm done typing! (Allie was up more than Krissy last night - apparently her sippy cup leaked all in her bed and I didn't realize that had happened until the 3rd time she woke up!)

Around the house . . .I'd love to get more pictures hung up.  I need to move several too. 

One of my favorite things . . .are pecans.. I'm really looking forward to pecan pie this thanksgiving!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . make Kevin's birthday cake, celebrate birthdays, clean the house, decorate the house for Christmas, church, grocery shop, and sew if I get any time!

Thankful For 2012 Edition

Faith:
I'm thankful for things being temporary.  Stress, conflict, friction, heartache, newborns that keep you up all night - it doesn't last.  I have to keep reminding myself that.  Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (A verse Sarah reminded me of this week at DOK)

Kevin: 
I am thankful for Kevin's job.  It pays the bills and it isn't a horrible, demanding job.  He enjoys the people he works with.  Most importantly, he is the only financial provider for our family and he takes on that extra stress so I can be at home with our children, which is so important to both of us. 

My Little People:
My kids genuinely love each other.  Of course they argue and fight like brother and sister, but they also snuggle together on the couch, the older two ask to hold the baby almost daily, and they make each other laugh all the time.  They tend to be partners in crime, which sometimes drives me bonkers (b/c I want Hayden realize what Allie is doing is wrong then tell her that instead of participating) but I'm thankful for their closeness.

Things That make me Happy:
Taking pictures.  I'm so thankful for my camera, so that I can capture these events and expressions and stages.  My kids have literally grown up in a blink of an eye and I love love love going back and looking at pictures of them. 

Conveniences:
I really am thankful for my phone.  Lame, I know, but it's how I stay in contact with so many friends and it helps keep me awake during those night feedings!  Plus I can facetime with my sis and that's pretty cool in itself!

Thankful For 2012 edition

My Facebook news feed is literally blowing up with people posting daily what they are thankful for.  It's definitely not a bad thing, but instead of following the trend, I decided once a week, every week of November, I'd write a post highlighting some things I'm thankful for in certain areas of my life.  

Spiritual Walk:
Crossroads is blessed to have an amazing senior pastor, Ken Idleman.  He is overflowing with wisdom and is able to present solid biblical truth in a loving way.  His messages every weekend are so convicting/challenging.  I truly look forward to church every weekend.  I believe behind every strong man is a wonderful wife, and Ken's wife, Kaylene, is no exception.  She teaches my bible study class on Wednesdays and her class is the highlight of my week.  She gives the entire class so much encouragement on being a wife and mother.  These two people have impacted my life so much.

Kevin:
I'm thankful for our marriage.  We have our ups and downs just like everyone else, but it's reassuring to know the "D" word will never be an option for us, and he'll always be here.  We are both 100% committed.  I know it's a little gaggy, but I like stability, and I know I've found that in our marriage.  We can give our parents credit for being good examples!

My little people:
My kids are busy, mischievous, loud, non-stop, and full of life.  I can't imagine having a child any other way.  Are there really such thing as calm, quiet kids that actually listen to their parents?  I'm thankful for them being wired this way because it's challenged me to become more patient.

Things that make me happy:
My furry babies.  I am thankful for them.  Especially Harry (aka The Best Cat in the World!).  >^..^<

Conveniences:
I am thankful for our home.  I love having a big yard the kids and dog can play in.  I like that our rooms are so close together that I don't need to use baby monitors.  I love my kitchen and the big window in it.  We have great neighbors that are always looking out for us.  I also like that I'm two minutes away from Walmart, and since I'm there daily, that's a big perk!

Mexican Lasagna

I meant to post this recipe last week, but clearly I didn't post anything last week!  I make this meal every couple months.  The recipe came out of one of my favorite cookbooks.  We get multiple meals out of it, which is always a huge plus in my book, and probably a reason I love it so much.  It also reheats great!  Don't get thrown off by the cottage cheese.  Neither of my kids eat cottage cheese (I think it's a consistency thing) but they both eat this meal. 

Ingredients:
2lbs ground beef
1/4 C taco seasoning
1 can refried beans
4+ soft tacos shells, cut in half (I only use 4, but you can use more if you want)
1 C mozzarella cheese
2 C small curd cottage cheese
1 egg
Optional Toppings:  Ortega taco sauce, lettuce, jalapenos, tomatoes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350*
Brown ground beef.  While beef is cooking, mix the mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, and egg and set aside. Drain fat off the beef.  Put beef back in the pan and add refried beans and taco seasoning.  Mix well. 
For the bottom layer, I take two taco shells and cut in half and place the straight sides along the sides of the pan.  All the curved parts of the taco shell will face the inside.  (Let me know if that doesn't make sense.. I can take a picture).  Place all of the ground beef mixture on top of the shells.  Add another layer of taco shells (cut in half just like you did on the bottom.)  Add the cheese mixture to the top of the shells.  Bake for 30 minutes. 

It's a great Mexican meal if you are wanting to try something new!  Enjoy :)

Looking Forward To - November Edition

I really can't believe it's November.  I mean Christmas will be here in just a couple weeks and then we'll be starting a new year.  Time flies!  Here are some fun things (in no particular order) I'm looking forward to this month...

• Kevin turns 29!
• Thanksgiving!  I love the family time and food.
• Decorating for Christmas.  I usually put my Christmas tree up the first week of November, but I think I'll shoot for the second week this year!  Too many little hands like to take apart decorations...
• I'm hoping to get some sewing done this month.  Krissy needs a car seat blanket and it's on the top of my sewing list.  
• We'll have our routine even more figured out.  I feel like things have really started to settle down and my days are becoming more predictable, which I appreciate!
• I'm so excited for the election - and to watch the results come in.  I'm hoping to have nails left by the end of the night.
• I'm hoping to start blogging more regularly.  It's my biggest goal of the month! 

Halloween 2012

We had a great Halloween!  When your kids are really excited about a holiday, it makes it twice as much fun for the parents!  And when you have two kids trick-or-treating, you get twice the candy, another perk for us parents! :)  Here are some pictures from Halloween.

Allie painting her pumpkin.

Hayden painting his pumpkin.

 The end results.  Hayden thought of painting his stem all by himself!

Getting ready to trick-or-treat!  Red is Hayden's favorite color, and orange is Allie's favorite color, so they both loved their costumes!

They scored big time on our street!  Most of the neighbors said we were the only trick-or-treaters.

Nothing better than trick-or-treating with your cousins!

We have enough candy to last us till next Halloween :)

Straight Lines

I'm very particular about my lines... when I fold a paper, I want the corners to match perfectly.  When I cut something (especially a picture), it's gotta be a perfect straight line.  This summer when my sister was home and we were shopping in Huntingburg, I ran across a used paper cutter.  It was from Staples and the shop was asking $9 for it.  I know paper cutters are $25-$100, which is why I never bought one, so I jumped on it!  I hadn't had the opportunity to use it until Krissy's newborn pictures were delivered. 

The paper cutter was a great buy!  It works great and it gave me the perfect straight line I was looking for!  Ask Santa for one this year if you don't have one already :)  It will come in handy

It's a.......

I forgot to update the blog, but many of you have asked.... and Amy had a BOY - Cade Allen Foster!  I was there for the delivery and it was so exciting - maybe even more than when I gave birth!  She told me all along she knew the baby was a boy, but I thought for sure it was a girl (because I thought our bellies looked a lot alike).  He is a handsome little baby!  Congrats Foster family!!!