It's been a while...

It's been a long time since I have had the opportunity to update our blog. We haven't been doing much around here lately other than cooking, baking, and scooping snow. We did manage to get our Christmas shopping done and all our gifts wrapped despite the December weather. It seems like all I have done this month is eat. We started December out with the Marquette Christmas so of course we had a ton of good food (shredded barbecue pork sandwiches, salads, cookies, desserts, dips, etc.) that I of course had to sample.

What's nice about a small town around the holidays is that they make sure we are fed and fed well. The commissioners had a chili luncheon for us with all the traditional Christmas goodies. We had a courthouse soup luncheon with all the extra goodies (I made a chocolate peppermint log which was awesome so check out Food and Fellowship for the recipe). For my Field Education Unit we also had a soup dinner. Then if that wasn't enough the Turner County Title Company catered an awesome dinner. The last few days at work I could really use an afternoon nap with all the food I have eaten lately.

Also, it's hard to post pictures when you can't find your transfer cable. We have absolutely no idea where it is. We don't take it out of the house and the two places it could be, it is not so we are looking high and low and each day I have hope that we will find it. Our computer does not accept the memory card so we are at a loss without our cable.

Hopefully, it will appear soon.

Father, Daughter Time...

Ada and daddy enjoy spending time together. She loves wrestling and tickling daddy. On Mondays and Tuesdays Ada has to take daddy downstairs to play and check out the fish before Benjamin wakes up. She wakes up with a lot of energy and is raring to go while Dave gives everything he's got to try and have her lay down beside him to catch a few extra zzzzzzzz's. It usually doesn't work! When you see these two play together it just melts your heart. I don't know about you but I think Ada has daddy wrapped around her little finger!

Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-up

Dave and I absolutely love this recipe so I thought we would share it:

1 lb. lean ground beef

4 slices Bacon, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 lb. (8 oz.) VELVEETA, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 pkg. (13.8 oz.) refrigerated pizza crust

Heat oven to 400°F. Brown ground beef with bacon and onions in large skillet; drain. Return meat mixture to skillet. Add VELVEETA; cook until melted, stirring frequently. Cool 10 minutes.
Unroll dough onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Press into 15x8-inch rectangle; top with meat mixture. Roll up, starting at one of the long sides. Rearrange if necessary so roll is seam-side down. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

This tastes awesome and is one of our favorite meals! Go ahead, try it, you won't be disappointed! Also, for other great recipes don't forget to check out our recipe exchange/cooking blog at http://foodandfellowship.blogspot.com.

Thanks for taking the time to share in my family's precious moments!

4 Generations

We finally got to take some 4 generation photos. It was especially important to me as Ada had never had one taken (not that she was a willing participant). Now, if only we could have taken one with Benjamin (please note that he is even less cooperative). This is something I wish I had the opportunity to do with my side of the family but I guess I will have to wait 25 years before we do that! Pictured left to right are: Great Grandma Orriette, Grandma Susan, Dave, & Ada

Pictured left to right are: Great Grandpa Curt, Grandma Susan, Dave, & Ada

Pictured left to right are: Grandpa Bob, Great Grandpa Delmar, Great Grandma Velma, Dave, & Ada

Aren't they a good looking bunch? See the photo really was painless. I hope everyone will be willing to get their picture taken again!

Another Thanksgiving Feast!

Here a few snapshots of our Thanksgiving at my in-laws. We were too busy eating and visiting to take a lot of pictures. Everybody except Dave's brother-in-law came. It has a houseful but it sure was nice to see everyone!

My Little Puppy

Benjamin decided that he needed to check out Bear's cage so he crawled inside and was pretending to be a puppy. Bear is Uncle Matt and Auntie Carrie's puppy. Don't worry, he was not in there very long! For those of you who know Benjamin, he is not known for being in any one spot for very long. I am not a big dog fan, but I have a big heart for this one!

Look Mom, I'm in a Band...

Uncle Colin has a PS3 and the guitar hero and rock band (something like that) and Benjamin got to try his hand at it. He really liked playing the drums. He was a little stinker about the drums because if other people were playing the drums to loud or if he wanted to play them he would steal the drumsticks away and hide them! He would send Uncle Colin and Uncle Craig on a long hunt for those drumsticks but yet he would always hide them in overly obvious places. Doesn't he look cute? Whoops, I mean handsome?

Thanksgiving at my Folk's place

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my folk's place the weekend before Thanksgiving. The food was great and we enjoyed spending time with everyone. Ada took a liking to the chocolate pie that Auntie Steph and Uncle Craig brought. I thought that I dressed the kids so cute but Uncle Matt was quick to point that Ada's dress was a Christmas dress. Whoops. I didn't look that close to what was actually on the dress. I just thought it was a cute holiday dress. I will definitely have to pay closer attention next time!

Biology Class

I received this forward and just had to share it.

Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam. The last question was, "Name seven advantages of Mother's Milk, worth 70 points or none at all. One student, in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages. He wrote:
1.) It is perfect formula for the child.
2.) It provides immunity against several diseases.
3.) It is always the right temperature.
4.) It is inexpensive.
5.) It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa.
6.) It is always available as needed.
And then, the student was stuck. Finally, in desperation, just before the bell indicating the end of the test rang, he wrote.....
7.) It comes in cute containers.

He got an A.

I really enjoyed this forward. Nursing Ada has been a breeze compared to Benjamin. It has went so well for us that she is 14 months old and I am trying to cut back on feedings which has been easier on me than her. She is definitely a persistent girl and does not give up easily. I enjoy our time together but she is starting to get mean, etc. so I think the time has come to start cutting back. I will always treasure our time together but will enjoy the freedom (not getting mauled the moment I walk through the door)! She is able to drink regular milk and has drank out of a sippy cup since she was 8 months old. Wish us luck during this time of transition!

Mmmmm....pizza!

Monkey see, monkey do! See I told you Ada mimics everything Benjamin does! She refuses to eat her pizza any other way. I am glad that these two like (love) pizza as it is one of my favorite foods!

A Little Taste of Summer!

These two were craving ice cream the other night (okay mom was craving it and they decided that they also had to have some). Ada mimics everything that Benjamin does so she of course had to have her own ice cream!

Church Blooper

On this particular Sunday I forgot my purse which also meant I forgot our offering. Benjamin observed the ushers starting the preparation for the offering and turned and looked at me and asked me where our offering was. I told him that I left it at home. Each time he asked me he got insistently louder and louder. Finally, he looked at me and said, "Mommy, stop being naughty and give some money to the church." All the people sitting around us were giggling and chuckling. I don't think I will ever forget my purse or our offering at home again!

Making Kolaches

This picture had to be taken and shared with everyone because not only is my dad in the kitchen, he is helping. The last place you will ever find my dad is working in the kitchen but when it comes to making kolaches he is all about helping (to make sure we do it right, etc). I can't remember how many dozen were made but he stayed till the last one was done!

Our Cookie Bake

A tradition that we have started in my family is getting together to bake, make, and decorate cookies for Christmas. My sister and I have done the "cookie bake" for 3 years now. We have always done it at her house as she has a beautiful kitchen with a wonderful set-up. Our sister-in-law, Stephanie joined us for the first time this year. The way our cookie bake typically goes is the girls do all the work and the guys do quality control and broken cookie clean-up. It's a long day of baking but we have a good time.

My sister-in-law hard at work!
Grandma frosting and showing off all our cute cookies!

Uncle Craig and Benjamin putting on sprinkles

Quality Control

Worn-out Grandparents (between baking, decorating, & grandkids!)

Show me your...

Ada's favorite thing lately is showing off her body parts when you ask her to show you one. She loves showing off her belly, nose, and ears. Her favorite body part is her ears. Her face lights up when you ask her where her ears are. She gets this big smile and her giggle will melt your heart! You can't help but laugh along with her. She is almost 14 months old and the stuff she knows constantly amazes us. She is growing up way too fast! She loves copying everything that Benjamin does. She is a mover and a shaker and is constantly on the go. Ada says a few words but she is really quiet. We eagerly await the day she talks non-stop like her big brother!

My Birthday

Happy 30th Birthday to me!! At first I was really depressed about turning 30, because man let's face it--that's old! I have a lot of great memories from being in my twenties. I met the love of my life (David) and was lucky enough to have married him. I finished graduate school. I started my "first" out of college job as an Extension Educator. Our son was born in 2005 and we were blessed with our daughter in 2007. I have enjoyed being in my twenties as the memories are great. I kept telling myself, family, and friends that I would actually be celebrating my first anniversary of turning 29 (see I didn't actually have to say 30!). But the more I thought about things, why would I want to stay 29? I went through a lot this past year. In January, I had surgery to remove my gallbladder. In May, I suffered and survived kidney stones (passing those nasty stones a few days before I would have had surgery to remove them and the surgery they suggested did not sound pleasant). And in November, I suffered a miscarriage and lost our baby. So I plan on holding my head up and embrace being 30 and hope that many, many good things come my direction. I thought I would share a picture of how I am handling being "30". It's my blog so just roll with it!

Dave and the kids surprised me with a dozen beautiful carnations sitting in a vase on our kitchen table when I came home from work. They also gave me a beautiful string of chocolate pearls with matching earrings! But the sweetest thing they left me was a note.

By the way, Benjamin kept telling me that it was not my birthday. I asked how come it was not my birthday and he told me that he took it away!

Remember our Veterans...

I just wanted to take this time to give a BIG Thank YOU to all our servicemen and veterans who have given of themselves to fight for our freedom. We owe you all so much!! Thank you just doesn't seem like enough to say for all you have done for us. Please have a Happy Veteran's Day and know that there are many people who appreciate all you have done for us!!

Emotional Roller Coaster...

"An Ugly Pair of Shoes"
I am wearing a pair of shoes. They are ugly shoes. Uncomfortable shoes. I hate my shoes. Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair. Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step. Yet, I continue to wear them. I get funny looks wearing these shoes. They are looks of sympathy. I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs. They never talk about my shoes. To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable. To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them. But, once you put them on, you can never take them off. I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes. There are many pairs in the world. Some women are like me and ache daily as they try and walk in them. Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as much. Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they think of how much they hurt. No woman deserves to wear these shoes. Yet, because of the shoes I am a stronger woman. These shoes have given me the strength to face anything. They have made me who I am. I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.

~~Author Unknown

Dave and I were hoping to announce happy news about the upcoming addition to our family but on October 7, 2008 we found out that our baby was not meant to be and that we would lose him or her. It was devastating to us as we went in for a routine doctor’s appointment (we were two days away from being 12 weeks along). My doctor recommended an ultrasound (he did not suspect anything wrong with my pregnancy or with our baby) so we could get early measurements of the baby in hopes of avoiding a 3rd broken arm (2 broken arms in the family are enough)! He gave us the ultrasound forms and the “see you in 4 weeks” paperwork and we were on our way for the ultrasound. In the waiting area on the ultrasound floor I kept praying that everything would be okay with our baby (I had this bad feeling that something was wrong).

Our world came to a screeching halt as the ultrasound doctor came in and started explaining the findings of the ultrasound to us. We were crying, shocked, sadden, and in disbelief. All kinds of questions and thoughts were running through our mind. We were left alone to grieve over the life that was not to be. We then saw “my” doctor who confirmed the ultrasound findings and gave us 3 options: schedule a D & C surgery, use medication to speed along the miscarriage, or wait and let it happen naturally. I (we) decided to wait and let it happen naturally for a variety of reasons. The surgery seemed so invasive and not natural (I (we) understood that surgery may be medically necessary if there was too much blood loss or if infection, etc. occurred), medication did not seem like the right choice to push things along as my brother’s wedding was taking place in 3 days and I was going to be gone for mandatory training for work the next week. So letting it happen naturally was the best choice for me (us); although, we realized that the miscarriage could take place at any time we were okay with our choice.

Prior to my doctor’s appointment my biggest dilemma was trying to figure out a way to tell my family about our upcoming bundle of joy and not steal my sister-in-law’s day (it was her wedding day and every bride deserves her “day”) or figure out a way where I would not be put in the position of having to accept or decline an alcoholic drink (as a bridesmaid having at least one drink comes with the role that you play & in my family if you pass up a drink everyone assumes you are pregnant). I spent that weekend instead answering the hard questions from family and friends as to if we were going to have any more children, how many would we like to have, and when were we going to try again, etc. It was very tough to not break down that entire weekend as we were still coming to terms with the news. It was also very tough to hold it together when I was asked these questions and listening to others talk about their joy of being in the motherly way; all the while holding back our sorrow.

On November 4, 2008, we saw my doctor again as I had not had the miscarriage yet (4 weeks of waiting). He confirmed through another ultrasound that my pregnancy was a non-viable pregnancy (we asked for reassurance as we had no signs/symptoms of miscarriage after 4 weeks of waiting) and that miscarriage was inevitable. Due to the risk of infection we had the choice of medication or surgery. I (we) chose the medicine option. That evening I suffered the miscarriage.

We are still grieving, healing, and attempting to move on since I have had the miscarriage but feel time, thoughts, and prayers will help us heal. I will always remember our child that we lost and wonder if our baby would have been a boy or girl, have blue eyes, whether or not he or she would have been blonde or brunette, etc. Even though we lost our baby early on we are still grieving a loss and all the emotions that come with losing someone that you love and care about. If you have any prayers to spare my family and I could really use them.

***FYI---I did not write the poem above.

Usborne Books...

For those of you who may not have heard, I am hosting an Usborne Books eShow and catalogue party. Between my consultant's busy schedule and my schedule we could not come up with a date that worked for us before the 1st of the year so I decided to forgo the home show and try this.

A child's interest in reading and learning is stimulated by the lavish illustrations and informative content. There are over 1300 bright, colorful and fun titles covering activities, puzzles and a wide range of subjects for children of all ages.

This is the information you need to check out and order Usborne Books: www.ubah.com/HOS130348. When: now thru 11/18/2008 11:58:00 PM. Everyone is welcome, so invite a friend to check out Usborne Books. If you order on-line the books ship to you within a couple of days and go directly to you. Otherwise, you can place a catalogue order with me and I will deliver them to you.

All I can say is that Benjamin and Ada love these books and that they can take quite a beating and still hold up! The other nice thing is that if something were to happen to your books--let's say the cover falls off, you can replace them for 50% off. Last year when I held a home show I thought Benjamin would go outside and play in the sandbox with Dave but that did not happen. Benjamin saw all the displays of books and he went straight over there and starting taking the books off the shelves one by one and looking through them. He then picked out his favorites and would bring them to me or Dave to read to him. Let's just say he was definitely the salesman that day!

It's a rewarding experience when a child opens a book and discovers the magic of reading. Please share the above link with anyone you think might be interested in Usborne Books. Let me know if you have any questions. With Christmas right around the corner, now is a wonderful opportunity to get some shopping done without even leaving home! Thanks for looking and Happy Shopping!!

A Benjamin Funny

Benjamin was GRUMPY today!! Boy was he grumpy. When I went to pick the kids up from Dani's house today Benjamin was still grumpy and wearing his grumpy pants. While Benjamin was getting his jacket and shoes on Dani asked him if he was going to wear his happy pants tomorrow. Benjamin said "no, I am not going to wear my happy pants, I am going to wear my comfy pants tomorrow." Travis (Dani's husband), Dani, and I started to laugh. What a little ham!

Just like Benjamin

Ada loves doing whatever her big brother Benjamin does. She will play follow the leader all day if you let her (or actually, if Benjamin will let her). These two play together so well that it is almost unbelievable! But, rest assured they also have their moments. We hear Benjamin say, "Don't bother me, Ada" or "Mom, Ada's bothering me", and "Stop it Ada", etc. Sometimes Benjamin and Ada will fight over certain books and toys, etc. but we never know who the winner will be as Ada can definitely hold her own and fights to the finish. So far these two really get along--we hope that it continues!!

Tuckered Out...

After a long day outside, Ada was too tired to do anything! She was completely tuckered out and just laid there--helpless. She was just worn out! This was not like our normally very active little girl!

Playing in the leaves...

Before we finished cleaning up the yard the kids had fun playing in our piles of leaves. Benjamin would run, crawl, jump, and sit in the leaves. Ada preferred to look and play with the leaves from outside of the pile. She did not like and would not go into the pile of leaves. Benjamin and mommy enjoyed having a "leaf fight" with one another. Once we started that Ada decided she was out of there. She did not want any part of that. Benjamin starting crying when we told him that he had to come out of the leaves. He wanted the leaves to stay so he could play with them some more. It was so much fun to hang out in the backyard as a family. It seems that lately we are running in complete opposite directions so it was nice not having to be anywhere tonight.

Fall Yard Clean-up

You bag the leaves--I will rake! There were so many leaves in our yard that we desperately needed to rake. We took advantage of the beautiful weather and cleaned up the yard. Benjamin enjoyed bagging leaves while Ada tried her hand at raking leaves. We finished our task but looking at the surrounding trees--I am confident that we will have to do it again!

Happy Halloween!!

This year for Halloween Benjamin was a scary crocodile and Ada was docile horse. Benjamin enjoyed making Ada scared by wearing his costume and saying "chomp, chomp" at her every chance he got. Ada would run the other way crying. Benjamin would also say "chomp, chomp" instead of trick-or-treat when we went out trick-or-treating. Most people passing out candy would play along and act scared or scream and he would laugh and laugh. It was such a beautiful night to be out walking through the neighborhood.

Tie Dyed Halloween Shirts

Benjamin and Ada are wearing their Halloween shirts that I made for them. I tie dyed white t-shirts orange and then I painted on the faces. Notice Ada's shirt had to have triangles while Benjamin's shirt had to have diamonds. I was just praying that he wouldn't ask for trapezoids as that seems to be his favorite shape lately!

Pumpkin Carving

Benjamin enjoyed helping me carve our pumpkins for Halloween. He liked taking out the "yucky" guts. He was so cute helping me. He would hold the pumpkin and say "come on Pumpkin--give it up (referring to the insides that he couldn't get loose or out)." Benjamin helped design the faces. He picked out triangles and circle mouth with a tongue for Ada's pumpkin and diamonds and a scary mouth for his pumpkin. He also insisted that the pumpkins have eyebrows.

Bubble Beard

Ada loves taking a bath and playing around with the bubbles. She enjoys getting the bubbles to stay on her face. She will dunk her face down into the water and come up with a bubble beard and laugh and laugh until the bubbles are all gone. She thinks playing with bubbles is one of the greatest things on earth to do. She is our little ham!!