The Lewis Family

PGirls

2012-02-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

Payton dressed herself this morning... and Sasha did her hair.

Then she watched Angelina Ballerina and I caught her dancing. She even did it again for the camera!

(Sorry you can't hear the music - it is too quiet.)

Happy Heart Day!

2012-02-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that HE laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (ESV)

Valentine's day is awesome because I am reminded (and get to share with my kids) that Jesus showed the greatest act of love, by dying on the cross - taking the punishment of MY sin. And that I can love my husband and kids because HE loved me first.

1 John 4:19 We love because HE first loved us. (ESV)

One of our traditions is to have a "Valentine's Breakfast" (yes, we call it that all year long) which is French Toast and Bananas and Berries.

And here are the valentines that I did for the kids:

They were super easy. Crepe paper hung from their door frames with homemade "conversation hearts" stapled to it and a heart valentine on the bottom.

Poor Chris was sick in bed all day long. It still was a wonderful Valentine's day since we got to spend it together!

Soft Brown Sugar Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting

2012-02-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest? A friend had pinned these cookies and they looked yummy.

Source: inspiredbycharm.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Then another friend, Cheryl {who is always making amazingly yummy things} commented "I made these. They are super good!" If SHE says they are good. Then I KNEW I had to make them. Here is how mine turned out:

And she was right. They are super yummy. They came out a little more cake-like than a regular cookie and are fantastic. If you want to make some, here is the original recipe from Susie QT Pies. Let me know if you like them!

A Very Fun Sunday

2012-02-12T20:00:00.000-05:00

So despite of waking up with sore throats (for me and Chris), then checking the weather and seeing this:

We still got up and went to church. We had been trying a new church in Canton (this was our 3rd week going) and had signed up for the discover class to find out more about the church. It is a small church, but the kids loved going and we felt welcomed the first day there. The pastor is passionate and that is infectious. Worship has been great each time. Simple. Rustic. Heart felt. Pastor Will is a musician and has played "the box" and sang backup the last two times we were there.

Anyway. Worship starts and Pastor Will is playing the guitar and singing, there is a guy on a small drum set and a girl singing. The girl started singing and W.O.W. she was amazing. Both Chris and I looked at each other dumbfounded by what a great voice she had. Worship was wonderful and the sermon was awesome (he is teaching in Acts). I was inspired to do what God has called me to do (still working through what that is exactly) and making sure I am doing my best at it.

Afterwards we stayed for the discover class. It was just Chris and I, Pastor Will and his wife. We had a great time learning about the church and getting to know them. We commented on the girl singing and guess what...it was Francesca Battistelli! {Disclosure - we don't have tv so we don't know what people look like.} She is Chris' favorite female Christian artist. They are related to her and she comes to sing every once in awhile. That was pretty cool to hear her in a small venue, just worshipping.

After that, Pastor Will was showing Dylan some chords on the guitar and drawing a diagram of his finger placement.

When we left the church this poor bird was laying on the sidewalk - on his back - dead - or so we thought. We realized that he was breathing so I picked him up and stuck him in the sun to maybe "defrost" him (see weather temperature above). He still wasn't moving and I picked him up again and realized that one of his legs weren't working right so we brought him home with us. {We think he must have flown into the building/window and got stunned.} He started to perk up and move around a little bit. Here he is ruffling his feathers:

Isn't his coloring beautiful? See the yellow tips on his tail and the red tips on his wings? He sat in my hand the whole way home. Even went to sleep for a little bit.

We got home, put him in a box with a lid open half way, gave him some birdseed and set him in the sun to warm up. Here he is sleeping:

A couple of hours later he flew away... yeah!

Dylan went outside to play with the neighbors and this is what he looked like when he came in:

Here, maybe an ear shot will help.

Poor kid was a frozen popsicle - but had a blast playing!

Dylan had gone down to the basement and got my 20+ year old guitar (yes, with 2 broken strings) and this is how I found him right before bedtime:

He was having a blast. Notice his ears are still red???

We could have stayed in bed all day, but we are VERY glad that we didn't. It was a very fun Sunday.

Brrrr.....

2012-02-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

You know it's cold when you have to bundle up like this:

to go outside to play - only to run back in the house for hot cocoa 5 minutes later. Our high today was 35 but with the wind chill it was 28. Brrrr.....

What I Ate...

2012-02-11T20:00:00.000-05:00

Monday

Fancy Chicken Salad
Whole Wheat Wasa Crackers
Green & White Salad
Water

Tuesday

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken (another recipe from Pinterest)
White Rice
Green Salad with Sweet Chili Sauce (instead of dressing - yum!)
Water

Wednesday

Dirty Rice with ground turkey
Salad with Lite Sweet Vidalia Onion Dressing
Water

Thursday

Breakfast for dinner: Waffles topped with syrup & natural peanut butter
Fruit - strawberries, bananas, blueberries, & grapes
Water

This was my FAVORITE meal this week. Yum!
Friday

Penne with Meat Sauce
Salad with Fat Free Zesty Italian Dressing
Garlic Bread
Diet Grapefruit Soda

Saturday

Salad with Lite Cesar Dressing
Quesadilla with chicken and jalapenos
Del Taco Sauce!
Water

Family Movie Night

2012-02-10T20:00:00.000-05:00

This is how my kids look right now. All fed, showered, and in their jammies. They devoured their iced oatmeal cookies...

Here is what's playing tonight:

I am thankful for my family!

Carob Balls {recipe}

2012-02-09T20:00:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't classify myself as a health nut. I do like and try to make healthy choices, but I also have a fantastic sweet tooth and am a carb-aholic. Growing up my mom (hi mom!) made a LOT of healthy foods, snacks, etc. I was allergic to wheat and dairy so she HAD to make different things for me. This was one of them (that I loved and still do).

They were originally titled "Nutritional Snacks" - ummmm doesn't that sound tasty [insert sarcasm]? So I renamed them "Carob Balls". Still not a great name, but my kids (actually we all) LOVE THEM. They act like they are getting cookies when I make them. They are healthy and super easy to make.

Carob Balls

from my mom, Rachel McNutt

3 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup carob powder

1/4 cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Stir all ingredients together.

2. Shape into 1-inch balls.

3. Chill in the refrigerator.

Easy right? Here are some notes:

~Do not use quick oats. Rolled oats have a better texture.

~I usually use creamy peanut butter but crunchy would be good too. You do not have to use natural peanut butter. Do not use reduced fat peanut butter. You need the oils in it help keep them together and not fall apart.

~Carob powder is found in the natural/health section of your market. (I got mine at Mother's.) It is the healthier version of cocoa.

~The recipe just calls for oil. I use canola.

~Lastly, I use a cookie scoop to measure out the balls and then roll/form them in my hands. Place them on a cookie sheet and chill in the fridge (or just eat right away!).

Give them a try. You might like 'em!

Linking up at:

7 Months

2012-02-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

~ 28 Week Update ~

Total weight gain/loss: +14 lbs

Maternity clothes: No, but literally wearing the same jeans every day. They are American Eagle stretch jeans that I got at TJ Maxx for $14 a year and a half ago. Obviously THAT was a great purchase!

Sleep: Started waking up at 5am for a daily bathroom visit. Plus being woken up at least once a night for indoor soccer on my uterus.

Best moment this month: We were talking with a lady for 10 minutes and Chris brought up me being pregnant. She acted shocked and said she couldn't tell. Maybe she was lying, but it made me feel good (since I feel like a blimp!). Oh and Dylan now is getting into the fact that I'm pregnant - rubbing my belly, talking to him, praying for him, asking when he is going to get here. It is very cool to see him excited.

Movement: Lots. See sleep above. He started pushing out an elbow/foot/hand (whatever it is) and dragging it across my belly. It's fun now that I can actually "play" with him.

Food cravings: None.

Food aversions: Just my normal, no seafood.

Gender: Boy

What I miss: Working out - consistently. My tailbone has gotten a lot better (Praise the LORD!), but still hurts here and there...especially trying when trying to lay down at bedtime. I am maxed out at walking 1 mile and even that is only about 3 days a week.

Milestones: I did my glucose test yesterday...

mmm. Doesn't it look so refreshing? Yuck. It made me sick to my stomach.

All in all everything is going great. Healthy and normal pregnancy so far! Praising God for this blessing!

ReMax & My Hubby

2012-02-07T20:00:00.000-05:00

For those who don't know - my husband, Chris, started working for Re/Max Town & Country in the beginning of this year as a associate broker/real estate agent.

I have been busy helping him get everything set up. We had to set up his website, his blog, start a Facebook Fan Page, start a Twitter account, update his Linked In account (you know all the things that he teased me about being on!). He's worked on business cards, post cards, signs for the car, getting shirts embroidered, and on and on and on. Today we received his first set of postcards. (Sorry for the poor lighting in the pictures - but you get the idea.)

We are pretty excited for how they turned out. We will start dropping them at homes tomorrow morning!

You can check out his website at: http://www.christopherlewisrealty.com/

Feel free to support him in this endeavor by following him on any (or all) of these venues...

I promise you won't get flooded with junk from him as it's a concentrated effort to post on any of the social media outlets. =)

Oh and of course, if you know anyone looking to buy, sell, rent, or lease in the North Georgia area, please have them call Chris!

Justin Bieber?

2012-02-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

In a couple of years, he will kill me for posting this!

Hee hee!

New Hairstyle

2012-02-04T20:01:00.000-05:00

Dylan did Payton's hair today. Like her new hairstyle?

He grabbed every headband that matched her shirt and put them all on at once. =) At least they were having fun!

What I Ate...

2012-02-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday

Chicken Enchilasagna
Mandarin Orange Salad
Sparkling Lime Water

Monday

Orange Chicken
Brown Rice
Steamed Vegetables
Water

Tuesday

Confetti Pasta Salad
Garlic Bread
Water

Wednesday

Green Noodle Casserole
Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Water

Thursday

Green Noodle Casserole
Salad with Blue Cheese & Blue Cheese Dressing
Water

(No, this wasn't a duplicate picture - we had a leftover night and I ate the exact same thing!)

Friday

BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Sandwiches
Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Water

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2012-02-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Daddy! I love and miss you so much!

Resolution Update

2012-01-31T20:00:00.000-05:00

They say it takes 21 days to create a habit. I must not be normal then. It is a constant effort on my part to keep my new "habits" up. I have decided that for me (at this point in my life), I need to be more relaxed with my resolutions. If I was going to say, "Everyday I am going to get up at 5am to read my Bible." I would just be setting myself up for failure.

So to update you on my 2012 New Years Resolution... I have made it through the month of January! Did I read everyday? No. Did I read the same time everyday? No. Sometimes it worked for me to read right after breakfast, and sometimes it was in the afternoon, and even right before bed.

It's been interesting to read it in chronological order. I started in Genesis for just a few chapters, then jumped to and read all of Job. Then it was back where I left off in Genesis and finished it up, followed by starting Exodus.

It is also fun when you are re-reading something and make those "a-ha" connections. I realized (this time) that Jacob tricked his father (Isaac) into blessing him as the oldest son (even though he was the youngest) and then when Jacob (who's name changed to Israel) was old and blessing his grandsons, Manasseh & Ephriam, he intentionally blessed the youngest with what customarily should have been the firstborn's blessing. (How's that for a run-on sentence?) Interesting, right?

If you want to jump in and join me reading in chronological order click {here}.

How are you doing with YOUR New Year's Resolutions?

Love...

2012-01-30T20:00:00.000-05:00

Love this ~~boy~~ oops I mean kid.

Saturday

2012-01-28T20:01:00.000-05:00

A friend on Facebook keeps posting pictures of the hearts that she finds in everyday random things... She says it's God reminding her of his everlasting love. Today I found a heart in the sky.

Yup! I agree with her.

I also finished book 2 of The Circle Series, Red by Ted Dekker. Woot woot! I made my goal that I set earlier this week! Now on to book #3.

What I Ate...

2012-01-28T20:00:00.000-05:00

Monday January 23, 2012

Chicken Divine

Blue Cheese & Apple Salad

Water

I know the Chicken Divine doesn't look so appetizing on my plate, but this is what it looked liked in the pan.

Much better right?

Tuesday January 24, 2012

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Salad with green olives, pepperoncinis, green onion and fat free zesty italian dressing
Homemade breadsticks (made with the same recipe I used last week for the Calzones)
Water

Wednesday January 25, 2012

La Parilla Chicken Burrito
Chips and Salsa (way too many)
Water

Thursday January 26, 2012

Angel Chicken
Steamed Vegetables
Water

Saturday January 28, 2012

Pepperoni Pizza

Salad with green olives, pepperoncinis, green onion and fat free zesty italian dressing

Water

I think I need to find some more recipes on Pinterest for this upcoming week. =)

Big Blues

2012-01-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

Puzzles

2012-01-26T20:00:00.000-05:00

When you hear Payton quietly saying "YES!" followed by clapping (every 30-45 seconds), you know you will find her doing this:

She's learned to applaud the little victories in life - like finding the next piece to the puzzle.

Ladybug Invasion

2012-01-25T20:00:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks we have found random ladybugs in the house. First on the inside of the window sill, then on the wall in the bathroom, then on the kitchen counter. Today one was crawling across my keyboard. It puts a smile on my face and the kids get all excited.

This one was more of an orange/brown color (I have seen even seen a yellow one here!). They are my favorite bugs!

Holder for charging phone (etc.)

2012-01-24T20:00:00.000-05:00

I saw this on Pinterest the other day and thought it was kinda cool. But I didn't need it at the time. I plug my iTouch into my computer and I didn't have that cool little plug to charge it in the wall.

But then my sister sent me that cool little plug.... and now I needed one of these.

Source: makeit-loveit.com via Cambree on Pinterest

You can click {here} to see the tutorial from Make It and Love It.

I didn't have the Johnson & Johnson bottle like she used but the kids did just finish their Suave 2-in-1 Shampoo Bottle like this one:

That should work, right?

Well yes and no.

Yes it worked...but it was not big enough for my iTouch. But it was perfect for Chris' bluetooth ear piece.

Now I am on the hunt for a bigger bottle to make another one for me!

Monday Randoms

2012-01-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

1. Payton and I went on a bagel date today.

2. We signed Dylan up for soccer again. They start in about a month.

3. Chris' iPhone came in the mail today (woot woot!). Which was really good timing since I put his old phone (aka the free one you get when signing up) in the washing machine yesterday. (Why haven't they figured out how to make them waterproof yet?)

4. Payton still is loving puzzles and it will keep her interest for an hour at a time. She celebrates each piece that she puts together. So cute.

5. Have I mentioned that Dylan hasn't lost ANY teeth yet? He does not even have a wiggly one...But he has 4 molars growing in. Crazy.

6. I love my husband.

7. Dylan made Merit Roll again. We are so proud of him.

8. We finally watched Courageous. Great movie....seriously.

9. Baby boy, who is still unnamed, is super active and the kids love feeling him move. I think God is amazing.

10. Three triplet boys that are in Dylan's class at school moved in 4 houses down from us. So fun to watch all the kids playing. They have a "fort" in the woods that they meet up at.

11. ...That is when it is not raining. It has been raining and gloomy for about 3 days now. Ugh!

12. I am hoping to finish reading "Red" by Ted Dekker this week.

That's about it! Hope you have a great week!

Life of Dylan

2012-01-22T20:00:00.000-05:00

Dylan was learning about timelines at school and had to create a timeline of his life (so far). Here is his finished project!

What I Ate...

2012-01-21T20:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday January 15, 2012

Quesadillas (with Del Taco Sauce!)
Spanish Rice
Water

Monday January 16, 2012

Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta (Yum!)
Green Salad with Vidalia Onion Dressing
Water

Tuesday January 17, 2012

Nachos
Green Salad
Water

Wednesday January 18, 2012

Pepperoni & Margherita Pizza
Green Salad
Roll
Water

Thursday January 19, 2012

Vidalia Onion Burger
French Fries
Pickle
Water

Friday January 20, 2012

Spinach & Cheese Raviolis with Chicken
Green Salad
Water

Fun Mail

2012-01-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

I love getting fun mail, don't you? Today I got a package that was addressed to "Kai Troy Lewis" from my sister. It made me laugh because "Kai" is what Dylan wants us to name the baby and "Troy" is what my nieces have suggested for a name. Cute huh?

This is what she sent:

L.O.V.E. it! Thanks J!

*** And, no we still don't have a name decided on yet...

Crashed out

2012-01-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

Don't you love those moments... When you have told your child to "Pick up your toys and go to bed." at least 5 times. You finally go to your husband and say "He's not listening." Your hubby steps up with the dad voice and says "Dylan - get to bed!" You still hear him playing and literally 45 seconds after daddy spoke, he (daddy) gets up and says I'll get him to bed and pray with him. You hear hubby chuckle from the other room and as he walks back into our room saying "He's crashed out!"

I had to go and see for myself and this is what I saw....

Then of course I had to grab my camera and take a picture....

Calzones & Basic Dough {recipes}

2012-01-17T20:00:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday I made Calzones for dinner... They came out beautiful (even if I do say so myself), and tasted fantastic!

I had gotten this idea from Pinterest (of course). {Here} is the link on how braid the dough.

I made homemade pizza dough (recipe below) and used store bought pizza sauce topped with mozzarella and pepperoni. Real easy and looks like you spent a lot of time making it (which I didn't).

Here is the basic dough recipe that you can use for this, regular pizza, and even breadsticks! I made it in the KitchenAid mixer, but left the directions as is if you need to make it by hand. And - I used the whole batch to make one calzone.

Basic Dough
(Recipe from Parents Magazine November 2008 issue)
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided (I used half whole wheat flour)
1 package active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons canola oil or olive oil

1. In a large bowl, mix 1 1/4 cups flour with yeast with salt; add warm water and oil. Beat with a whisk for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in another 1 1/4 cups flour, or enough so mixture holds together. Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead in 1/4 to 1/2 cup more flour - stop once it is lump-free. Wrap half the dough in plastic and freeze for a later use; cover remainder and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
2. Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 4 portions and roll each into a 6-inch circle. Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Build up edges slightly; prick bottom of crusts. Bake about 8 minutes. Spread sauce and toppings onto crust and bake for another 8 minutes. Makes 4 mini crusts.

Linking up at:

Buffalo Chicken Rolls {recipe}

2012-01-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

Last Tuesday we had Buffalo Chicken Rolls for dinner and it was YUM-O! I had found this on Pinterest:

Source: canyoustayfordinner.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Looks scrumptious, right? You can click {here} for the recipe.

Here are some changes that I made:

~ Used cole slaw instead of broccoli slaw

~ Added chopped (very small) celery to the slaw

~ Used homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce instead of Frank's Red Hot Sauce (making sure that you leave some for dipping)
~ Made Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing for dipping

I will definitely be making these again!

Scott's Buffalo Wing Sauce

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup ketchup

1/3 cup Tabasco Sauce

2 tablespoons honey

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-15 minutes.

What I Ate...

2012-01-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday January 8, 2012

Oatmeal with brown sugar and walnuts
Water

This (obviously) was a night that we didn't "make" dinner and you know what? This was a good option as it filled me up!

Monday January 9, 2012

Cream Cheese Crock Pot Chicken Tostadas
Water

Tuesday January 10, 2012

Buffalo Chicken Rolls (will blog about these yummy things next week)
Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
Celery
Top Secret Recipes KFC Coleslaw
Water

Wednesday January 11, 2012

Bacon, Tomato & Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Green Salad
Water

Thursday January 12, 2012

Calzones (another yummy one that I will blog about soon)
Carrots
Pasta Salad
Sparkling Lime Water (uummmm - so good)

Friday January 13, 2012

Subway Spicy Italian Sandwich
Water

Saturday January 13, 2012

Apples with Peanut Butter
Pasta Salad
Sparkling Lime Water

Another night that we didn't make a dinner because we went out for lunch. (We try not to eat 2 big meals in a day.) Anyway - I love making pasta salads every once in a while because they are so easy and you can toss in whatever you have on hand. Here is what I mixed together for this week:

Pasta (cooked and chilled)

Artichoke Hearts (quartered)

Green Salad Olives with Pimentos

Banana Peppers (sliced)

Pepperoni Slices (cut into quarters)

Mozzarella Slices (cut into small squares)

Parmesan Cheese (fresh grated)

Kraft Fat Free Zesty Italian Dressing

Easy right? Did you eat anything yummy that I should try this upcoming week?

Linking up at:

Friday Randoms

2012-01-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

My mom, sisters and I all have matching mugs. It makes me smile each time I use it. I also try to remember to pray for each one of them as I am drinking from it.

This is my view outside my bedroom window today. It looks out over an empty lot into the woods. Kinda neat. To bad it was FREEZING today. The high was 39 degrees but with the wind, if felt about 25. At least it was pretty!

We (Chris) got something VERY EXCITING in the mail today...

It has taken over 4 and a half months to get his license transferred from California. We mailed all the paperwork last Tuesday to the State of Georgia and got the license today (10 days). Thanks California for taking 4 months to loose our paperwork TWICE and then finally get us the paperwork requested {that is laced with sarcasm...} Anyhoo, we are super excited... Yeah Chris!

Bacon, Tomato & Avocado Grilled Cheese {recipe}

2012-01-12T20:00:00.000-05:00

I showed this pin from Pinterest to Chris...

Source: traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

and of course last night we had to make it. Yum! How could that not make you hungry? You can find the original recipe {here}. I am sure that it is really good and tasty but we didn't make it as fancy so I will tell you how we did it.

Bacon, Tomato & Avocado Grilled Cheese

Loaf of Italian Bread, cut into 3/4-inch thick slices

Maple Smoked Bacon (yes, I said MAPLE SMOKED BACON! Are you drooling yet?)

Tomato Sliced

Avocado Sliced

Sliced Mozzarella Cheese

Butter, at room temperature

Garlic Clove, peeled and halved for rubbing

1. Cook the bacon however you want to. We opted for Chris doing it on the BBQ out in 40 degree weather...did I mention that it was raining? He's a trooper. Love you babe!

2. Have everything sliced and laid out, ready to assemble and cook.

3. Butter one side of 2 slices of bread and put one on a grill pan (butter side down) on medium heat. Quickly top it with the mozzarella, avocado, bacon, tomato. Top it with the remaining slice of bread butter side up.

4. Grab a 9 x 13 metal pan and place it over the sandwich upside down. (You want to keep in the heat so the mozzarella melts, but don't want to squish the sandwich.) *** See note***

5. Cook until the bread is golden brown then flip the sandwich (to cook the other side).

6. Quickly rub the toasted bread with the cut side of the garlic.

7. Replace the pan "lid" and cook until that side is golden brown.

8. Remove from pan and rub the second side with garlic.

9. Serve and enjoy!

Looks yummy, right? The sweetness of the maple bacon with the hint of garlic mixed with the crunch of the toasted bread with the soft bread inside. Yummy goodness I tell ya!

Dylan loved it and gave it 2 thumbs up! (Actually we all did!)

***Note: You can also squish the sandwich down with the pan to make it like a panini. I did it for the kids so the "stuff" didn't fall out. See it there on Dylan's plate?

Linking up at:

6 Months

2012-01-11T20:00:00.000-05:00

Here's my view:

~ 24 Week Update ~

Total weight gain/loss: +12 lbs (Although it feels like 50!)

Maternity clothes: Not yet, but there are a few jeans that I can't wear anymore. The jeans in the picture above are really low which works great for my expanding belly.

Sleep: LOVE sleep. Sleeping through the night.

Best moment this month: Feeling him move....alot. It is the best part about being pregnant!

Movement: Chris and the kids are able to feel him move. I can now even see it, just watching my belly.

Food cravings: I have been eating a lot of sweets this month. So now, I am trying to cut back.

Food aversions: Just my normal, no seafood.

Gender: Boy

What I miss: Working out. My tailbone has been KILLING me and I can't walk (for exercise) or work out without being in extreme pain. Most nights I crawl into bed hurting. My doctor just gave me the ok for a heating pad and Icy Hot! I am praying that it gets better.

Milestones: Got to bring home my "orange drink" for my glucose test next month. Yea! (That was sarcastic - I heard some people LIKE that stuff, yuck!)

Cream Cheese Crock Pot Chicken {recipe}

2012-01-09T20:00:00.000-05:00

Source: thelarsonlingo.blogspot.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Tonight I made this super easy dinner (that I had pinned on Pinterest of course) with a couple of adjustments. It is definitely a keeper recipe. You can click {here} for the original recipe.

Cream Cheese Crock Pot Chicken

Adapted from The Larson Lingo

4 chicken breasts (I used frozen)

4 oz cream cheese

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can corn, drained

1.5 cups salsa (I used Herdez Salsa Casera Medium)

Place chicken breasts in the crock pot. Dump the rest of the ingredients on top of the chicken. Cook on high for 4 hours.

Pull the chicken out and shred with 2 forks and stick back in the crock pot and give it a stir.

There are many things that you can do with it at this point. I baked small corn tortillas to make tostadas and topped it with lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, and cheese. Chris put the chicken in a big flour tortilla and made it into a burrito. You could use it for tacos...serve it over rice... or even by itself for a low carb option.

This recipe is going right into my recipe book!

Preparing for our school week

2012-01-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday afternoons we start thinking and preparing for the school week. Today that consisted of:

~Laundry - Dylan didn't have any clean jeans.

~Food - Making sure we have enough for his breakfast and lunches for the week (or at least the next day so I can go to the market).

~Water Bottles - Put them in the fridge.

~Reading Log - We have to turn in his reading minutes for the week (100+ minutes) on Mondays.

~Backpack - Make sure it is cleaned out and packed with everything he needs.

~Clothes - My sweet hubby lays out Dylan's clothes EVERY evening. This has prevented SO MANY arguments in the morning for me.

and my favorite...

~Lunch Sacks - We grab our markers and sit down together (tonight it was on the floor) and color together.

Payton usually comes in and wants to get in on the action.

I also write notes on his napkins for the week. I know he likes it because I usually find them in his jeans/jacket/backpack pockets at the end of each day.

Here are our sacks for the week:

And of course Payton's masterpiece (which we have to pack a lunch for her sometime this week).

What do you do to prep for the school week?

What I Ate...

2012-01-07T20:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday January 1, 2012

Potato Skins/Twice Baked Potatoes
Green Salad with Olive Oil Vinegar Dressing
Water

Monday January 2, 2012

Margherita Pizza
Salad with Ranch Dressing
Water

Tuesday January 3, 2012

Kona Chicken
Brown Rice
Mandarin Orange Salad
Water

Wednesday January 4, 2012

Jeannine's Mac & Cheese
Green Salad with Olive Oil Vinegar Dressin
Water

Thursday January 5, 2012

Orange Chicken
Stir-fry Vegetables with Noodles
Vege Egg Roll with Sweet Chili Sauce
Water

Friday January 6, 2012

Nachos
Water

Saturday January 7, 2012

Chicken Pot Pie - This is the pretty picture before it looks like this:

Not so pretty but oh so yummy!
Chicken Pot Pie
Green Salad with Olive Oil Vinegar Dressing
Water

Are you keeping track of what you ate? If so I would love to hear about it! Post it in the comments below or add a link to your blog post!

Linking up at: OrgJunkie

67 Calorie Lemon Bars {recipe}

2012-01-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, seriously... 67 calories of yummy, yummy goodness. I was craving lemon bars today (thank you baby belly!) and my regular go-to recipe calls for 1 CUP of butter. Since I have been baking/making/eating a LOT of treats lately {caramel brownies, caramel, ice cream, etc}, I decided to make a healthy version from an old recipe that I had printed in 2003 from FoodFit.com. I forgot how good they are. And the best part??? Since there is only 3 tablespoons of butter (vs. 1 cup), TWO of them are less than 150 calories! {Hummm should I disclose that I ate 4 of them tonight??? Don't judge - I'm pregnant!}

Ready to try them? Here you go:

Lemon Bars

(adapted a tiny bit from FoodFit.com)

Makes 16 bars

1/4 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup flour

3 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

confectioners' sugar, for dusting

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

2. Mix together 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and butter.

3. Add 1/2 cup of flour and mix until it is crumbly. Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan.

4. Bake until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 325ºF.

5. Whisk the eggs until foamy. Add the sugar, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of flour, baking powder and salt and combine.

6. Pour the mixture over the baked crust and bake until set, about 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

7. Cut into 16 squares and dust with powdered sugar.

Calories per square: 67

Fat grams per square: 2

Linking up at:

Playing Dress Up

2012-01-05T20:00:00.000-05:00

Playing dress up is tiring work...

Especially when you just came inside from going on a run with daddy. (See her in the blue on the bottom with Chris to her left?)

I was taking a picture of the beautiful blue cloudless sky. It was low 50's today but a pretty day. Perfect for a walk (for me) outside.

It was also Sasha's (my mother-in-law) birthday today - Happy Birthday Sasha!

Bow Holder

2012-01-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

I dream of being crafty.... I look through Pinterest and see all the amazing things and think, "I can make that." Only when I finally do, it's not as cute as the picture. You know kind of like this:

Source: Uploaded by user via Sarah on Pinterest

Payton's bow/clip/hair thingy drawer was out of control. I have found beautiful holders that I would have loved to {attempt to} create:

Source: howdoesshe.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: u-createcrafts.com via Alexis on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Bekah on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Renee on Pinterest

I kept thinking that I would get the "right" supplies make a pretty one. I finally got frustrated and grabbed whatever I had close by... a glue gun, a hanger and a roll of ribbon. Five minutes later I had this:

Not pretty - but functional and it works for now. Payton is wearing more clips cause now we can see them. {I would still like to make a nicer one down the road.}
Here is the back of it. I just hot glued the ribbon to itself.

Easy peasy!

Our day

2012-01-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

Today was Dylan's first day back at school. I drove him to the bus stop this morning (at 7:15am) and it was 19 degrees. Yes, seriously (hence why I drove).

When we went to run some errands it had warmed up to 25 not including the wind chill factor.

I had a free coffee from Starbucks for my birthday. So we went there on one of our stops. (Starbucks is not as convenient as in California. So we don't go there as much.) Payton loves her "kiddie coffee" (hot cocoa).

Her new favorite past-time...puzzles. She will work for hours putting one together, taking it apart and re-do it.

Potato Skins {recipe}

2012-01-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

I "pinned" it:

Source: simplyrecipes.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

And made it!

Half were potato skins, half were twice stuffed potatoes. Half had bacon and half were vegetarian. Mine aren't as "crispy" as the Pinterest ones, but they were yummy!

~2012 Resolution~

2012-01-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

A New Year brings new resolutions... and I didn't do so good with my 2011 resolution. It was to do a 60 second plank every day (with hopes of working up to a lot longer than that). Do-able right? One minute a day commitment?? Yep - I blew that one! I did good for 3-4 months then we moved, then I got pregnant and it is out the window completely.

This year my resolution is to read the Bible in chronological order.... Notice I didn't say "every day" because I will fail at that, but I hope that I will keep on top of it, maybe catching up on a weekend when I fall behind a day or two.

I found this reading schedule from Joni Eareckson Tada.

Click {here} to get the full schedule if you would like to join me!

Oh and happy new year!

Linking up at: Five Days Five Ways

Caramel Brownies {recipe}

2011-12-31T19:21:00.000-05:00

Have I told you how much I love Pinterest? I know it is a time-sucker, but when you get THIS as a result of that time wasting???

Totally worth it!

Anywho... I had pinned this recipe for making brownies from scratch that was mentioned on Biblical Homemaking's blog. I have made it a couple of times and it was always a hit.

Source: food.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

I also had pinned this Microwave Caramel recipe that was on my list to make.

Source: food.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

So guess what I did today??? Yup! - I put those two together and made a wonderful creation! (You can click the links above to get the recipes.)

I started making the caramels and while those were in the microwave I mixed up the brownies. I used a 9 x 13 pan (because I didn't want to double the cook time), spread half the brownie mixture on the bottom, followed by half the caramel mixture, topped with the other half of the brownie mixture.

(I put the rest of the caramel mixture into a 8 x 8 pan to cool as the directions said.)

When it was done baking I stuck it in the deep freeze to cool (because once again, I didn't want to wait!). It only lasted about 15 minutes in there and then we cut into it and topped it with a little whipped cream. It was still gooey and OH SO YUMMY! This is something that I will DEFINITELY make again. Oh and the extra caramels that I let cool - they were super good as well. Chewy and fantastic! Are you going to try this now?

Linking up at:

What I Ate...

2011-12-31T19:20:00.000-05:00

My brain has been on holiday mode so I don't have many pictures for you this week. Here is what I did capture:

Tuesday December 27, 2011

Chicken Burrito from La Parilla (yes there is a burrito under all that lettuce and cheese!)
Chips and Salsa
Water
Sopapillas (super yum!)

Wednesday December 28, 2011

Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Seasoned Fries
Salad with Blue Cheese
Water

Thursday December 29, 2011

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Sweet Chili Sauce & Peanut Butter Sauce
Brown Rice
Water

Saturday December 31, 2011

Taco Salad (with ground turkey) sans tortilla chips (I had WAY too many earlier today)
Water

And for dessert:

Carmel Brownies. Enough said.

Click {here} for the recipe.

Linking up to: Meal Plan Monday

White Bean Dip with Pita Chips {recipe}

2011-12-29T20:00:00.000-05:00

I made this dip a few days ago and thought I would share it. It is from Giada De Laurentiis (love her recipes!). I found it in a magazine (you know, the things we read before internet, blogs and Pinterest?) years ago. It is like an italian hummus and it is so good.

I found the recipe on-line as well {here}, but it is a little different. Here is the recipe from the magazine.

White Bean Dip with Pita Chips

by Giada De Laurentiis

6 appetizer servings

4 pita bread, split in half horizontally

2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

1 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup loosely packed) fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 a lemon)

1 garlic clove

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Cut each pita into 8 wedges and arrange evenly over a large baking sheet. Brush the pita wedges with 2 tablespoons of the oil, then sprinkle with the oregano and 1 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper.

3. Bake for 8 minutes, then turn the pita wedges over and bake until they are crisp and golden, about 8 minutes longer.

4. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a food processor, combine the beans, parsley, lemon juice, garlic and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pulse on and off until the mixture is coarsely chopped. With the machine running, gradually mix in the remaining 1/3 cup of oil until the mixture is creamy. Season the puree with more salt and pepper to taste.

5. Transfer the puree to a small bowl and serve the pita toasts warm or at room temperature alongside.

(The pita chips and puree can be made 1 day ahead. Store the pita chips airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the bean puree.)

Let me know if you make it and if you like it!

Happy Birthday to ME!

2011-12-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

Today was my birthday. It was cold today. Dylan is in shorts and flip flops as much as possible so this picture tells you how cold it really was outside.

We went to a yummy mexican food place. (And yes, it was REALLY yummy. I can't wait to go back!) Dylan told our server that it was my birthday (thanks buddy!) and they all came out singing Happy Birthday in spanish and put this HUGE sombrero on me. Payton couldn't figure out what they were singing. She was so confused - it was cute!

They brought out yummy Sopapillas. I hadn't had them before and it was super good.

Dylan liked wearing the hat.

Then on the way home I saw this. I made Chris turn around so I could get a picture.

Yes, that is a make-shift car port (a tattered, black tarp held up with straps and ropes tied to 2 trees and 2 metal poles) with an Acura parked under it. Only in Georgia!

Christmas Day...

2011-12-25T20:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas day was so much fun... Here are some (okay, alot) of pictures of our day.

-The picture in the top right corner was the kids checking out Santa's leftover crumbs.

-The picture of Chris and the kids was right when we woke up. Nothing like a camera flashing in your eyes at 6:00am!

-Like Chris' mining picture? Dylan got a reading light from Papa and Chris used it to fix Payton's new kitchen.

-Papa and Dylan played with Dylan's new Electronic Snap Circuits projects for quite a long time. Really a cool toy.

For breakfast we made {and devoured} this yummy goodness (Petite Caramel Pecan Rolls):

I forgot to take a picture of us singing Happy Birthday to Jesus before we ate {boo!}.

Later in the afternoon we got to webcam with my parents and open some presents that they sent us.

She knitted each of us scarves. They sent a sweet onesie for baby boy. And wonderful light-up tambourines for the kids.... thanks guys!

Then we got to webcam with my sister, Jeannine, to open more presents (we draw names for all the kids under 18). They happen to get both my kids.

Thanks cousins Juliette & Penelope!

We ended the night reading about birth of Jesus from Luke 2. Now just 364 days until my FAVORITE holiday of the year comes around again...

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T20:01:00.000-05:00

Tonight the kids helped make our Christmas Eve dinner (spaghetti). Dylan had written name cards for each person. Notice Bailey's? (Craig and Sasha's dog)

Every year on Christmas Eve we give the kids new jammies to wear that night.

Then they got to open one present each. They both got new Webkinz. Dylan's is a Koala he named "Koal"(koala without the "a" at the end). Payton got a turtle she named Princess Alexia.

We had to set out food for Santa. He got milk and pineapple dump cake + carrots for the reindeer.

The kids took turns writing Santa a letter.

Dylan wrote: "Dear Santa, Thank you for the toys mery Christmis. the carrots are for the reindeer. Love Dylan" Then added "Thankyou for the wedkin." (webkinz)

Payton wrote: Dear Santa, followed by her ABC's.

We can't wait to celebrate Jesus' birthday tomorrow!

What I Ate...

2011-12-24T20:00:00.000-05:00

Monday December 19, 2011

Baked Potato (topped with butter, sour cream, & green onions)
Fried Okra
Steamed Broccoli
Green Salad
Water

Tuesday December 20, 2011

Spicy Bean & Jalapeno Chimichanga

Water

Wednesday December 21, 2011

Nachos
Water

Thursday December 22, 2011

Homemade Margherita Pizza

Italian Salad

Water

Friday December 23, 2011

Santa Fe Stew

Biscuits

Water

Saturday December 24, 2011

Spaghetti

Italian Salad

Garlic Bread

Water

Did you eat anything super yummy this week?

Christmas Crafts {courtesy of Gigi}

2011-12-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

Gigi sent the kids some Christmas crafts to make this week. The kids got to do the snowmen while skyping with Gigi earlier this week. We painted the ornaments outside today.

1. Dylan's Christmas tree ornament that he painted. Complete with ornaments.

2. Payton's hanging snow man. {with a little help from mommy}

3. Payton painting her bell ornament.

4. Dylan's hanging snow man.

5. Showing off their handy-work.

6. Payton's bell. A blurry picture, I know, and you can't see the white bottom with the green bell thingy on the bottom.

7. Really concentrating.

8. Painting while mommy is holding it.

Thanks Gigi! They had a blast making them!

And just cause I love this picture...

We were taking pictures in front of "Dylan's Tree" in his room. Isn't is so sweet?

Cookie Time!

2011-12-21T20:00:00.000-05:00

Chris and the kids made Chocolate Chip Cookies today...

The best part is licking the spatula and beater! Yum!

Christmas Lights

2011-12-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

We did a fun family tradition tonight... After dinner we cleaned up, showered up and got into our jammies. Then we surprise the kids by telling them to get their warmest blankets and get into the car. We gave them hot cocoa and told them we were going to see Christmas lights.

Here is Payton with her hot chocolate face.

And Dylan is so excited...

Chris found a great tract that had an amazing light show. Almost all the homes were linked up to the same radio station and all the lights blinked on and off to the music. Here is one of the houses:

And then a second later:

Pretty cool huh?

Dylan and Payton loved watching it.

O Christmas Tree

2011-12-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

Here is Craig and Sasha's Christmas tree...

The bottom 2 pictures are the view from walking down the stairs. Did I mention that Christmas is my favorite time of year???

Chili's Night (Recipes)

2011-12-17T20:01:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday we had a Chili's Night... I saw (and pinned) both of these recipes on Pinterest and decided to try them out. We had Chicken Enchilada Soup (similar to Chili's):

Source: picky-palate.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

I followed the recipe (exactly) and it was good. It wasn't as creamy as Chili's (which is a plus in my book). And it made a LOT of soup. I fed 5 people and had tons of left overs still.

And then Chili's Copycat Salsa:

Source: sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

I made a change to their recipe and it was GOOD. Real good. {Completely different than my hubby's Pico de Gallo that is hands down my FAVORITE salsa ever.} This is really good for making last minute (I would say it takes a total of 5 minutes to make.).

So you can click the link or picture above and see the recipe (and the original recipe from that one). But here is my version:

Chili's Copycat Salsa

(Original recipe from Six Sister's Stuff)

1 - 28 oz can whole tomatoes, drained

2 oz diced jalapenos (I bought the small can and used half.)
1/2 small yellow onion (Not chopped - I threw the whole thing in the processor.)

1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon lime juice

Throw all of it into a food processor and puree. Enjoy!

What I Ate...

2011-12-17T20:00:00.001-05:00

Sunday December 12, 2011

J's Mac & Cheese

Green Salad

Water

Monday December 13, 2011

Chili's Night (Click for recipes)
Chicken Enchilada Soup
Chili's CopyCat Salsa
Tortilla Chips
Water

Wednesday December 14, 2011

Green Salad with Gorgonzola Cheese
Leftover Chicken Enchilada Soup
Water

Thursday December 15, 2011

Homemade Panda Express Orange Chicken
Stir-fry Vegetables with Noodles
Water

Our Gingerbread House

2011-12-16T20:00:00.001-05:00

Tonight started Dylan's Christmas break from school. He has a whole 2 weeks off!!! (Woot-woot!) The kids spent the evening finishing their gingerbread house.

5 Months

2011-12-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

I'm halfway there! Can't wait to hold my sweet boy and see what he looks like!

I have seen people posting their weekly updates around the internet so here is mine...

~ 20 Week Update ~

Total weight gain/loss: +9 lbs (Loss? Who LOSSES weight at 20 weeks?)

Maternity clothes: Not yet, but definitely have to unbutton my jeans when I sit down.

Sleep: I am actually able to sleep through the night again without the numerous potty breaks. Now if I can just get Payton to quit talking/crying/laughing/yelling in her sleep - I wouldn't wake up at all!

Best moment this week: Having our anatomy ultrasound and seeing him move, suck his thumb, drink, and even stick his tongue out at us.

Movement: Having a few kicks throughout the day, but can't wait for Chris and the kids to be able to feel it!

Food cravings: Since I just got back from California and had my fill of Del Taco, In-N-Out, and real mexican food...I have been good on cravings! I have noticed that I do like hot and spicy food right now. (Tapatio Doritos and Takis anyone?)

Food aversions: Just my normal, no seafood.

Gender: Boy

What I miss: An italian sub sandwich

Milestones: We are half way there!

Heat Wave

2011-12-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's December...in Georgia... and Dylan is playing outside in flip flops and no shirt on.

No, he's not crazy - we actually had a warm day today!

Daddy's Girl

2011-12-12T11:17:00.000-05:00

Payton cannot get enough of daddy today... She was even crying for him in her sleep last night. Here they are putting together a Tinkerbell Puzzle.

* * * * *

We had our 20 week appointment/ultrasound today and everything is great with the baby. We didn't get a really great photo to show you (they were much more blurry than the last ones), but she said the baby is about the size of a coke can (love the visual).

* * * * *

Dylan wanted me to open an early Christmas present for "Kai". Yes, he wants us to name the baby Kai, as in Kai - the Ninjago.

He got him a blue bear! (Dylan LOVES his blue bear and wanted to make sure that "Kai" had one too.) Isn't that sweet?

On Our Way Home

2011-12-11T20:00:00.000-05:00

We woke up early to catch our flight. Here's me with my mom.

And my dad.

My mom and sister (Jeannine/Auntie J).

My dad, sister, Payton and even Buddy (the dog) got in on this photo.

On our plane! We got to fly with my sister to Denver, drop her off, then get on our next flight home. It made the flight go by so fast!

Payton coloring on our layover.

Excited to be heading home!

I know this is a blurry picture. But this is the first time that I have seen Dylan in 11 days and we are BOTH so excited.

Look at the sweet letter he made for Payton and I.

It says: "May the lord be with you. I love you momy & Payton alot, no mater what and i miss you."

Chris wrote: "We miss you! Love you!

Then Dylan drew a picture of the nativity scene with the "first sheperd".

We had an AMAZING and fun filled trip. But we are both glad to be home and hugging on our boys. =)

My Sister Is A Nurse!

2011-12-10T20:00:00.000-05:00

Today started with some early morning deliveries (of Gigi's Famous Almond Rocca) and I got to see my dear friend, Jana.

And got to grab a hug from her boy, Gavin. (Dylan misses him so much!)

Then off to my sister's graduation! She is offically an RN! I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. She is going to be a labor & delivery nurse and I wish she could be my nurse when this baby comes!

Payton took a picture of herself while we were waiting for the ceremony to start.

During the ceremony...

At the end, everyone rushed to hug my sister and congratulate her!

My parents are so proud!

We are too!

Cody was there in uniform.

Once we left the graduation, I got a flat tire on the freeway. That was a 45 minute delay... Boo!

CONGRATULATIONS NURSE DAVESE! Every patient that you get to work with will be so lucky and blessed by you....

We LOVE you!

What I Ate...

2011-12-10T18:46:00.000-05:00

I didn't take many pictures this week of what I ate. So here is what I captured:

Sunday December 4, 2011

Tio Chavez - Chicken Enchilada
Chips and super yummy salsa
Green Salad (not pictured)
Water

Tuesday December 6, 2011

Pot Roast
Potatoes and Carrots
Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potatoes
Salad
Water

Wednesday December 7, 2011

Yes, the sun shone perfectly this day...

Bruxie's Fried Chicken Sandwich
Water

Nutella & Banana Waffle
Creme Brulee & Strawberry Waffle
(Shared with everyone)
Water

Disneyland

2011-12-09T20:00:00.000-05:00

On the tram going to Disneyland!

A picture in front of the beautiful Christmas tree.

Here is Karen (a close friend of the family) and my mom. Karen was sweet enough to get us into Disneyland!

In line at Pirates of the Caribbean.

Ready to go on Winnie the Pooh!

Payton's first time on Gadget's Go Coaster... She was terrified at first, but then LOVED it and went on it 3 times in a row!

Auntie J and Payton are in the last cart.

Waiting in line for Dumbo.

Being a silly goose.

Ready to go!

On our way out of Disneyland (heading to California Adventure) we were able to get close to the Christmas tree and got a great picture!

Auntie J had not been on Monsters Inc.

It's Tough to be a Bug!

Waiting to go it...

All smiles after crying because she was too small to go on Soaring Over California. A sweet man stopped and gave her a button that will help her grow so next time she is there she can be tall enough!

Crashed out on our way home.

It was such a fun day. Thank you Karen for a wonderful time!

Christmas Train

2011-12-08T19:34:00.000-05:00

In the morning, Payton got to hang out some more with Coco and "TigerReally".

Saying bye to Auntie D for the day.

We went and picked up my sister from the airport (again - yea!). Then had In-N-Out. Yum!

Had to take a picture of me wearing flip flops and send it to Chris. =)

That night, we got blessed by my parent's neighbor who gave us tickets to the Irvine Park Christmas train. All the lights were so pretty. Here's Gigi and Payton.

And then Jeannine (my sister) and Payton.

Getting on the Christmas train.

Payton was excited (even though she looks otherwise).

The conductor took our picture and then we were off to see...

Santa! Payton wasn't so sure of him and this was about as close as we got. She asked for Littlest Pet Shops for Christmas.

It was a fun (and cold) night!

Fun Filled Wednesday

2011-12-07T19:02:00.000-05:00

Today we got to spend the day and sleep over at my sister's house. She took us out to eat at an AMAZING place...

It is right outside the Orange Circle and holy moley - it is good!

Payton waiting for the food to come.

Her and Coco!

This is what my sister recommended - the Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffle (with Chili Honey and Cole Slaw).

I wasn't so excited about it when she was describing it. It sounded kind of weird but I gave it a shot. Holy Moley - it is wonderful! (If you live close - go and try it!)

Cody digging into his...

Bruxie Burger

Yes... A burger on a waffle.

And now for dessert - Nutella & Bananas

Creme Brulee with Fresh Strawberries

Yum. Enough said.

Then we went back to my sister's house and Payton got to snuggle with their new kitty "TigerReally" (TigerLilly).

My friend, Jess stopped by to say hi.

And here are her adorable kids!

When it got dark - Miles (my b-i-l), Davese (my sister), Payton and I went to look at Christmas lights. Payton got a candy cane at our first stop.

This is only one section of a house. It was COVERED with lights.

At another house, a guy had converted his garage into a winter wonderland. Here is Davese and Miles in front of it.

This is an actual (working) waterfall.

You could probably look for hours and still see something you missed.

It was such a fun day/night. Thank you Miles and Davese!

Whirlwind of a day

2011-12-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

{I have caught up on the last 6 days of blogging - so make sure you go back and see what we've been up to!}

Today was a whirlwind of a day... My mom, Payton and I left at 7am and made 12 stops today consisting of errands, delivering some Almond Rocca, meeting up with (and getting to hug some amazing friends)...

We got to have coffee with my dear friend, Nicole...

Payton got to play at a park with some old friends...

I got to hang out with the moms...
Brandi... (that's her son, Jadon)
{Dude where did that belly come from!}

Amy (who's due a few weeks after me - so fun!)...

And Debralee... (got to see her new baby boy too!)

Payton and Audrey hiding under the picnic table...

Saying good bye...and Audrey saying "I'll see you next week!" {too cute!}

And we had lunch with Lizette & Cheryl...

I had a great time catching up with everyone!

{And I think I need to lay stop it with the "..." It is just so fun to type!}

Special Moment

2011-12-05T20:00:00.000-05:00

This morning, I walked by to see Papa Nutt reading a book to Payton (and both dogs curled up next to him)...

Such a special moment!

Sunday

2011-12-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday we dropped Jeannine, my sister, off at the airport (but we she flys back in on Thursday. Woo hoo!) Then went to Heritage Christian Fellowship to see Cody in his "dress blues".

Yes, I changed his diapers and now he towers over me....

Doesn't he look so handsome?

After church we went to another yummy mexican food place, Tio Chava's. We decided to take pictures of us enjoying the chips and salsa to show Chris.

Ummmm, yummy!

That night my mom, Payton and I went to look at Christmas lights in Brea.

There is one particular tract that has tons of lights. It was fun to see it all.

Thanksgiving...Again!

2011-12-03T20:00:00.001-05:00

Since Cody was in bootcamp for Thanksgiving Day, we celebrated it again! Here is Payton helping make the greenbean casserole.

Papa Nutt & Payton waiting patiently to eat.

My niece, Kenzi and my sister, Jeannine.

Cody and the kids: Payton, Trent & Presley. They all love him so much!

It was fun to give thanks again to the Lord for all that he has done!

What I Ate...

2011-12-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday November 27, 2011

Gardineria Pasta Salad

Water

Monday November 28, 2011

Quesadilla with Del Taco Mild Sauce

Water

Tuesday November 29, 2011

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Fried Green Beans

Ice Tea

Wednesday November 30, 2011

DEL TACO!!!!

Green Burrito

Water

My sister had this waiting for us when we got to California. Thanks D!

Thursday December 1, 2011

Ahh, REAL mexican food...at a hole in the wall restaurant.

Bean & Cheese Burrito

Chicken Taco

(both shared with my sister)

Chips & Salsa

Water

Friday December 2, 2011

In-N-Out Hamburger Animal Style (with no extra spread)

French Fries

Water

Saturday December 3, 2011

We celebrated Thanksgiving again with Cody since he missed it being in bootcamp. So imagine all the regular Thanksgiving food and here was the appetizers:

Doesn't it all look so good? It was yummy!

Graduation Day...

2011-12-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Family Day at MCRD and today was Graduation Day. Here is Gigi & Payton waiting for the ceremony to start.

See Cody? He is third in from the left. It was amazing to watch them walk all in unison.

Presley and Payton having a great time. They were so good sitting through the whole ceremony.

Platoon 3235 getting their final orders!

Brothers - Cody and Geoffrey

VERY proud parents!

Cody and his recruiting officer. He came down for his graduation.

What an amazing day...

By the way... I feel very pregnant today...

MCRD Family Day

2011-12-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Payton started off our morning, with a busy phone call and notes:

Then we surprised my mom with Jeannine (my sister) flying in for Cody's graduation.

We pulled it off!

Here is Cody's Platoon: 3rd Batt. Kilo Co. 3235.

His momma got the first hug.

We are so proud of him!

Looking more like his Daddy!

Savanna (my niece) and Payton.

So handsome!

Savanna & Cody.

Kenzi (my niece) and Payton.

Such a man now.

Even his walk is different.

With Aunti J!

Cody in his "blues".

Trying to talk to Chris and Dylan on the phone. They were so bummed that they couldn't be here - but they are SO proud of him!

My mom, my sisters, & me!

On a Jet Plane...

2011-11-30T20:00:00.000-05:00

Payton and I left on a jet plane today for California...

Both of our flights were uneventful - which is always great.

My dad and mom picked us up when we landed and we stopped at "Unc" and "Auntie D's" house to say hi. They had gotten us DEL TACO! WOOT WOOT!

It was exactly as I remember it. Chris - are you jealous? (Don't worry, I will bring some home with me!)

Payton got some snuggling time in with Auntie.

Have fun with Kenzi!

We are so excited to be able to hug on family and go to Cody's (my nephew) graduation from boot camp and Aunti D's graduation from nursing school!!!

Snowing...

2011-11-29T20:00:00.000-05:00

We had our first day of rain/snow since moving here. It melted as soon as it hit the ground, but it was fun to watch it fall. We bundled up in our ski jackets, scarves, gloves and beanies... Dylan was hoping for school to be closed, but he still had to go.

Remember my post about C.O.P.S.? Well the sales lady, Caroline, wanted to thank us and sent us all for lunch at the Club House. (We went right when Dylan got home from school - so a late lunch.) It was a fun time.

Here is the view of the golf course from our table.

We decided to try to go outside and take a quick family photo. And I say quick cause it was rain/snowing a little still...which means FREEZ-ING!

Here's Craig, my F-I-L, he was our camera man.

The kids did NOT want to take a picture and this is the best one we got...

So - I live where it snows... {NEVER thought that would happen!} It's funny how God changes your life so you realize that you are NOT in control and have to surrender to HIS will. =)

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV) ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Payton's Gymnastics Class

2011-11-28T20:00:00.000-05:00

Payton goes to Gymnastics/Tumbling class on Mondays and has a blast. Fortunately she has an awesome and patient teacher, Ms. Becca!

Rain Gutters and Christmas Lights

2011-11-26T20:01:00.000-05:00

Chris and his dad cleaned out the rain gutters today...

Did I mention that Chris ~~is afraid of~~ doesn't like heights? =)

This kids thought it was cool that they could hang out Dylan's window. And of course they tried to get too far out.

The pretty front door.

They then hung Christmas lights on the roof line and porch railing.

I will post a finished picture soon!

What I Ate...

2011-11-26T20:00:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo! This is my 300th post. I don't know why that is exciting exactly...but I thought I would mention it.

Monday November 21, 2011

Iceberg Wedge (I forgot to take the picture before I chopped it)
Water

Tuesday November 22, 2011

Pepperoni Pizza (I had 3 slices of this)
Crudite Plate with Ranch Dip
Water

Thursday November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Dinner (or "Linner" as we ate at 2pm)

Turkey
Stuffing
Yams
Green Bean Casserole
Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Buttermilk Biscuit
Drink: Half Sierra Mist & Half Pineapple Juice
Dessert: Pumpkin Cheesecake {made by the very talented, Tamara Tappan - yum! Thanks Tamara!} with Whipped Cream (which it didn't need)

Friday November 25, 2011

Quesadilla (with WAY too much cheese in it - ugh!)
Del Taco Mild Sauce (that my mom sent me - sigh!)
Water

Saturday November 26, 2011

Vegetable Beef Soup over Brown Rice
Mixed Vegetables
Water

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2011-11-25T20:00:00.000-05:00

Today was the first time in 32 years that I was not at my parents house to celebrate our Day After Thanksgiving Family Dinner. I sure missed being there and seeing everyone!

Our day was fun though. We did stuff around the house in the morning (me - laundry, Chris - worked on the yard, kids - played). For lunch we had.....LEFTOVERS! {Which are somehow, really yummy the next day.} Then played outside for awhile then at 2pm went shopping. It was still crowded from the Black Friday but at that point I didn't notice any great deals. We spent a whole $3 on tortillas and a bottle of water. Woot woot!

We ate dinner when we got home. Then topped off the evening with Christmas Music, helping put up and decorate Papa & Sasha's tree and drinking hot cocoa ("kiddie coffee" is what Dylan and Payton call it) and eating popcorn.

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Thanksgiving Day 2011

2011-11-24T20:00:00.000-05:00

The day started with a little coloring time.

Followed by some prep work of the thanksgiving meal, then a break to go and work out. Chris on his trainer and I did Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (Payton even joined me for a little bit). {Trying to counteract the damage that will be done later - guess I'm glad I can say I'm eating for two!}

Got ready for the day then back to the kitchen for cooking and even a bit of cleaning for the kids - it's a family affair.

We ate our yummy meal out on the patio. It was a beautiful day.

Took a nap and relaxed then went back for dessert:

The yummiest Pumpkin Cheesecake...EVER! My friend Tamara made this. Seriously SOOO yummy.

We finished up the day with a family walk around the neighborhood. It was a GREAT Thanksgiving...

I interviewed the kids and asked what they were thankful for and here are their answers:

Dylan - "I am thankful for God, my family, for daddy, my friends, my toys, Nathan, my legos, my bedroom, my bed, my school, flowers, trees, woods, computers, games, movies, my Cars tv, my hats, my clothes, my socks, my underware (hee hee hee) and my books."

Payton - "Ah, I'm thankful for going on a flight, I like going on a walk, for running and chasing. I'm thankful for doing stuff that people want me to, for breaking my wheels, for some wonderful food, for loving my mommy and the baby, for chasing daddy, and for doing stuff that is right and for loving somebody, and for headbands that are pretty. I'm thankful for Dylan."

I am thankful for Jesus Christ paying MY debt so I can spend eternity in heaven and escape the punishment I earned. I am so thankful for God providing all my NEEDS in this life and blessing me above that. His grace is more than I deserve.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!! Especially my family in California and Colorado - missing you guys today! {tear}

C.O.P.S.

2011-11-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

We live across the street from a model home and 3 almost finished houses. [Note: The model home should be locked most of the time because it is completely furnished.] Today Sasha (my mother-in-law) saw 4 young boys (pre-teen age) go into the model and were in there for way too long. Looking out of Payton's window, I could see them in the house running around. Anywho - long story short... Sasha called the sales office and the sales lady showed up. They did some minor "child" vandalism: popped popcorn, threw it around the house, messed up the beds, put things in the bathtubs and started filling them up with water, and threw stuff around. Nothing major, but a hassle and completely wrong all the same. So she called the cops. Four sherriffs showed up, houses were searched and the boys we caught heading up to the park. It was fun to see C.O.P.S. in action. They separated the boys, questioned them, called parents, parents showed up.... It made for an interesting afternoon. Dylan whispered to Chris, "This is pretty cool, but also kinda sad." Hopefully this was a good learning lesson for him.

Then our evening was spent playing with Littlest Pet Shops (While sitting in a hula hoop! - Why? I have NO idea).

And Daddy and Dylan having quality time playing the Wii (Yes, sitting in bean bags on TOP of Dylan's bed! - Why? Once again, I have NO idea).

Oh and one week from today Payton and I will be on a jet plane headed for California! Can't wait to see family and friends. Woo hoo!

Nothing Better...

2011-11-22T20:00:00.000-05:00

There is nothing better than catching your daughter looking out the window "Waiting for Daddy to get home."

There is nothing better than sitting down to blog and finding random self-portraits of your son on your camera.

There is nothing better than having these sweet moments captured for me to remember....

Tough Noggin!

2011-11-21T20:00:00.000-05:00

Last night, right before bed (of course), Payton fell off of our bed and smacked her head. Chris ran into the room, scooped her up, I grabbed ice and we all consoled her. She was ok after a couple of minutes and we settled back into getting ready for bed. We turned on a family movie (because we had to keep her awake for a little while to watch her) and turned off the lights. I turned on the bedside lamp and because of the lighting, discovered this:

Yes, THAT is where she smacked her head. She has one TOUGH NOGGIN!

* * * * *

On a brighter note, I got to meet up with a long time friend today, Raquel and her kids. I knew that she lived in Georgia and thought that she was over an hour and a half away. We had been trying to plan a Saturday to get together but once we got talking realized that she is only 45 minutes! We met at a park in the middle and spent a couple of hours catching up while the kids played. It was such a great time, I can't wait to do it again!

Oh and of course I took my camera and forgot to take pictures! Doh!

Bananas - Tip

2011-11-20T20:00:00.000-05:00

Have I got a tip for you... We eat a lot of bananas in our house and the problem with bananas is that they go bad SOOOOO quickly. I've tried a lot of different ideas to make them last longer. For awhile I was using Debbie Meyer Green Bags. Although they work good, it looked bad to have a green bag of bananas sitting on the counter. I was so excited to stumble across this tip.

When you get home from the market, take the bananas apart.

That's it! Easy right? When they are left in a bunch, they ripen quicker. Try it. It works!

Cutie Patootie

2011-11-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

What I Ate...

2011-11-19T17:11:00.000-05:00

Sunday November 13, 2011

This was for lunch:

Nachos with Black Beans
Buffalo Chicken Wraps (buffalo chicken, blue cheese, celery, ranch dressing wrapped in a tortilla)
Water

Tuesday November 15, 2011

Goosh
Water

Wednesday November 16, 2011

Lasagna
Steamed Italian Green Beans
Garlic Bread
Water

Thursday November 17, 2011

I went to the Festival of Holidays Women's Event at my church and had a yummy Thanksgiving meal. Salad, turkey, roasted potatoes, green beans, stuffing, bread, and a yummy pumpkin dessert. But I didn't take a picture - sorry! It was really good. Just take my word for it.

Friday November 18, 2011

Burritos (ground turkey, refried beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and sour cream)
Taco Rice
Water

Cold

2011-11-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

Can I be honest? I am still in my jammies from this morning... Yes, yoga pants, tank top, huge sweatshirt, socks and ugg slippers. I will spare you the picture but you get the idea. I was so glad to not have any plans today because it was so stinkin' cold. How cold was it? Let me show you a picture:

It is so cold we can keep our water bottles out on the patio to get/stay cold instead of in the refrigerator. Hummm, I wonder if it will get cold enough this winter to make popsicles outside!

{Think Dylan's bus driver noticed or cared that I was still in my jammies picking him up this afternoon?}

4 Months

2011-11-17T20:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my 4 month mark. (If you want to see my belly with my last pregnancy, click here.)

Baby boy is moving around a lot which is always exciting.

I went to a women's event tonight at church and had to dress up. I barely fit into my dress pants and this shirt sure showed my belly! Did I mention that it was so cold tonight? On my way home tonight the temperature gage read 36 degrees and a little snowflake appeared next to it for a frost warning. Yikes!

Tornado Warning

2011-11-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

What do you do during a tornado warning???

Go out and play in the rain of course!

Baby Lewis #3

2011-11-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

Ultrasounds are so exciting! Here is the profile of Baby Lewis.

There is the top of Baby Lewis' head and hands.

And there are the feet...

Another side profile of the whole body.

And yes, it's a boy!

We are so excited! We were telling Payton that she gets to be the only girl (since she had said the baby was going to be a girl and if it was a boy she would be very "frustrated" - see HERE for the video). She is excited about being a big sister. After awhile she ran up to Chris and said "Daddy! Dylan hit your ONLY SISTER!" He giggled and said you mean my "only daughter". So sweet!

Silly Bands & Silly Payton

2011-11-12T20:00:00.000-05:00

This morning somehow Dylan and I ended up playing with his silly bands which ended up being a schooling moment but shhhh don't tell him.

He sorted his silly bands by color. Then we went through and counted and did tally marks for them.

It is great when you can reinforce things that he has learned in school and he thinks we're just playing...

* * * * *

Payton is loving dressing up with anything and everything. This was her fashion for dinnertime. =)

What I Ate...

2011-11-12T19:59:00.000-05:00

Sunday November 6, 2011

Wendy's Jr. Hamburger with Extra Pickles

Baked Potato with Butter, Sour Cream, Salt & Pepper

Water

Monday November 7, 2011

Jeannine's Macaroni & Cheese
Sauteed Zucchini
Green Salad with Blue Cheese & Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing
Water

Tuesday November 8, 2011

We met up with the Tappan's at Williamson Brother's BBQ. I forgot to take a picture but Chris and I shared a combo platter. BBQ Chicken, BBQ Beef, Pulled Pork, Ribs, Fried Okra, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy. Ummmmm it was good.

Wednesday November 9, 2011

Chris' BBQ Chicken Salad

Garlic Bread

Water

Thursday November 10, 2011

Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Panda Express Chow Mein (copycat)

Stir Fry Vegetables

Water

Friday November 11, 2011

Brooklyn Joe's Pepperoni Pizza

House Salad with Ranch

Lemonade

Saturday November 12, 2011

Sliders (with Bacon) (SUPER YUMMY!)

Celery with Ranch

French Fries with Ketchup

Giardiniera

Water

11/11/11 11:11am

2011-11-11T23:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Veteran's Day! I am so thankful to all who are serving and have served our country. They sacrifice and lay down their lives for our freedom and I am so greatful!

It only happens once every hundred years so I had to snap a pic. (Well actually, 11:11 happens twice with AM and PM, but there is no way I would be awake for the PM one. =)

By the way, that is one of my favorite pictures of the kids. My sister, Davese, took it and now it is always on my iTouch.

I had fun with Payton's hair today...

The kids had their yearly check-up (3 months late for Payton and 2 months late for Dylan). Dylan was begging to get some shots today (says he loves them). Everything looks good! Dylan had his second hearing test for the year (he had to have one for school) and they BOTH came back perfect... hummm... so why doesn't he listen better? LOL!

They both got flu shots. Payton cried a little when she got hers. Dylan was SO excited to get a shot - until he saw the needle. Poor kid - he decided that he did NOT want one and freaked out so much before hand and then yelled when the shot was already over. We (Chris, the nurse and I) were cracking up at his quick change of attitude.

Here are their stats... (not that you really want to know, but more of a documentation for me!)

Dylan - 3' 11.5", 48.7 lbs

Payton - 3' 1", 29.6 lbs

Crazy Kids

2011-11-10T20:00:00.000-05:00

When I was taking a picture for "What I Ate" tonight, the kids wanted to get in on the action. Payton said "Mommy take a picture of MY plate!"

Then of course Dylan had to go all boy on me....

Wednesday Randoms

2011-11-09T20:00:00.000-05:00

Payton thought she was so cute walking around in my boots this morning....

My mom rocks! She sent us a package today and guess what it was filled with???? (THANKS Mom!)

Oh Del Taco... how I miss you so. Your Mild Sauce helps get me through till next time we meet again.

There IS a Del Taco 4 hours away and many a time we have contemplated going to get some burritos. Hummm 8 hour drive for $.99 burritos...yes I guess that qualifies us as crazy. Supposedly the will be putting in on in Atlanta and we CAN'T wait for that to happen.

Dylan loves helping Payton learn her Cubbie's verse for AWANAs... Such a sweet brother!

Hair Time!

2011-11-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

My friend, Amy, blogged about cutting her daughter's hair. It looked so good so I thought it was about time for Payton's FIRST hair cut. Yes, her first. Scissors have not touched her hair - EVER. Here is the before:

Here is the after:

I blow dried it straight and that is her natural curl at the ends. Isn't it puuurty???

Then Sasha (my m-i-l) cut Dylan's hair...

Isn't he handsome?

Only my kids...

2011-11-07T20:00:00.000-05:00

It was a beautiful day today. It warmed up today to 70 degrees. So what do my kids do after school? Play with the hose and get soaking wet of course!!!

Dylan has no school tomorrow, so I hope it is a warm day again!

Soccer's over...

2011-11-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sad... soccer is over. We had a busy weekend of it though - 3 games scheduled and a end of the year party. We only made it to 2 games since one was scheduled for 6pm on Friday and with us getting over being sick, we didn't want to send Dylan out in the cold.

He was on a great team and the families were all really nice. Bummed that the season is over.

But we are looking forward to Spring Ball.

Check out this tree in our church parking lot this morning....

That is ONE tree...with all those colors. Isn't God amazing?

What I Ate...

2011-11-05T20:00:00.000-04:00

Sunday October 30, 2011

BBQ Chicken
Baked Potato with butter, sour cream, cheese salt and pepper
French bread with butter
Water

Tuesday November 1, 2011

Black Beans & Brown Rice (look mom, it's a complete protein!)
Green Salad with tomatoes and blue cheese & champagne vinaigrette
Water

Wednesday November 2, 2011

Homemade Tomato Bisque Soup (Chris created it)
BLTA Sandwich
Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips
Dill Pickle
Water

Funny story about this night. Chris was cooking the bacon on the barbeque when the whole thing went up in flames. There was about a 2 foot fire going. Good thing we had an extra package of turkey bacon that we cooked in the microwave!

Thursday November 3, 2011

Pear, Pesto & Gorgonzola Pizza
Water

We were served this at a friends house a few years ago and it is SOOO yummy! I made this for lunch.

Friday November 4, 2011

Campbell's Chunky Vegetable Beef soup
Romaine with Apple, Pecans and Blue Cheese Salad
Garlic Bread
Water

Thursday Randoms

2011-11-03T20:00:00.000-04:00

1. When I was sick, I finished this book in 24 hours.

I am not a huge reader nor a fast one but I LOVE Karen Kingsbury books. I am way behind on keeping up with her series, so I need to get Take Two pronto!

2. Dylan made Merit Roll this past Quarter. We are super proud of him!

3. It is stinkin' COLD in the morning on our way to the school bus. But with that cold, we have BEAUTIFUL fall trees everywhere. The colors are just amazing.

4. We went to a friends house for dinner tonight. Tamara made yummy lettuce wraps and cheesecake brownies for dessert. Did I mention that she is a phenomenal baker? See how yummy these look?

5. Ever since Payton got her "Big Girl Bed" she has been staying in her bed every night. She still will talk in her sleep a bit, but at least she is staying put!

6. Our turtle, Spot, is the coolest pet ever. You feed & give him water every couple of days. He mozies around the yard (and pretty quickly I would say) and had gotten comfortable around us so much that he doesn't hide in his shell when we are close. We crack up when we look outside and his neck is stretched way out and he is looking around.

7. Ta-Ta for now! (Yes, we recently watched Winnie the Pooh!)

Awana Night

2011-11-02T20:00:00.000-04:00

The kids had Awana tonight. I have figured out a way to help Dylan learn his verses (at least for now!).

I write the verse out on a white board and have him read it out loud. Then he gets to erase 1-3 words (depending on how much he think he can remember) and draw a line where the words WERE. Then read it out loud again remembering the erased words. We repeat this process with me erasing words next and Payton even gets to erase some. We keep going until all the words are gone and there are just blank lines reciting the verse out loud each time. At the end, we erase all the blank lines and he says it again. By this time - it is completely memorized.

(Oh FYI - if he stumbles at a word that we erased, I write back in the first letter only - he usually gets it with that.)

A GREAT by-product of doing it this way is I learn them as well (without even really trying)!

Isaiah 9:6
"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

See? That was easy right?

Payton's verses are just a few words so it is easier to just repeat them over and over with her. Last night her verse was:

"All Scripture is God-breathed." 2 Timothy 3:16

Do you have any fun ideas for memorizing scripture?