Baby News!

Yes, it's true! We are soon going to be a family of 4! Jeremy and I could not be more thrilled! In March this will become a reality, what a crazy yet amazing journey we are on!

I am 6 weeks right now and so far so good! Until today I haven't felt any different other then more tired and starving hungry all the time. Then today my stomach has been turning circles and reminding me how much is going on in my body right now. I am still nursing Ava and hope to continue that through the 1st trimester at least. That has added a whole new level of hormones to my body! Since we found out I was pregnant I have felt like my hormones are having an out of body experience! I don't even know what I am at times...happy, sad, mad, confused! I really do feel bad for my husband lately and hope these raging things settle down some soon! I feel like my baby stomach is already wanting to poke through, something that is totally different then when I was pregnant with Ava. Life with a toddler will for sure make this pregnancy go fast, she keeps me busy and I don't have time to sit around and think about how bad I feel or how much longer I have. For that I am grateful!

Speaking of that little toddler, she is awake from nap and needing some play time so I'm off to play!

CrockPot Rotisserie Chicken

Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken

This is a recipe I have told many people about because of how easy it is, most have asked for the recipe so I thought I would post it here. I am always looking for creative ways to cook chicken that is full of flavor and this recipe has currently won in our house! I have stopped buying chicken parts and only buy whole chickens. They are better for you and much more cost effective. The chicken is so much tastier and healthier when it is cooked around a bone and with the skin on it. Plus, I LOVE a good crunchy chicken skin!

1 whole chicken, (4-5 pounds)

2 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp black pepper

4 whole garlic cloves

1 yellow onion, quartered

Olive or coconut oil

In a bowl, combine all of dried spices. Rub oil on the bird to coat it then the spice mixture all over, inside and out. Put the bird breast-side down into the crock pot. Put 4 whole garlic cloves and a quartered onion inside the bird. Do not add water. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8. The meat is done when it is fully cooked and has reached desired tenderness. The longer you cook it, the more tender the meat.

Celebrating My Daddy!

Today is the day we celebrate the father's in our lives! I love this holiday, I think I love it so much because I have been blessed with such a wonderful Dad and love a day to honor him. My Dad is my hero. I love and appreciate him more today then ever before. He is my Daddy and I am his baby girl, and that will never change. I am a Daddy's girl. I love the relationship I share with my Dad. He would do anything for me and I have never in my life once doubted that. He taught me God's word as a child and instilled in me the principles that I would carry into my adult life. Today I celebrate him, I celebrate the fun times and the hard days but mostly I celebrate how blessed I am to call him my Dad.

You have how many?

This is a topic that has been on my mind lately and then tonight I came across this blog post that made me think even more. First let's start with a little history, I come from a family of 11 kids. I have 8 brothers and 2 sisters. Jeremy comes from a family of 8 kids, he has 3 sisters and 4 brothers. We both love coming from large families and growing up it was just normal, it was life. I have memories of being young and at the grocery store and hearing people ask all those questions..."you know what causes this right"...or.."you must me Mormon or catholic"..and the best..."don't you know how to prevent that". When did it start being ok in our culture to make comments to people about something so personal as how many kids you have? We don't mock people who can't or choose not to have kids. This post touched on and I so agree with the fact that the church is no better in most cases then the world at encouraging young families in the blessing of children.

Jeremy and I are often asked how many kids we want, to which we usually reply with a quick "we don't know yet", or "we hope to have lots". Coming from big families I think people want to know if that has made us want a large family or just want a couple kids. Growing up people used to make comments about affording children or more like not being able to afford kids, my Dad used to always say "God pays for what he orders". How true? We can trust God with SO many things but something as big as our family size we hold with a tight grip. Dad also used to compare the analogy of arrows in the hand of a warrior to children. Psalm 127:3-5 says that blessed is the Man whose quiver is full. Dad said if we was going out to war he would want as many arrows as he could get. Why limit to 2 or 3? I love this verse in the message bible...Psalm 127:3-5 "Don't you see that children are God's best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep."

I want to challenge your ideas of children, change the way you view them. It's not about birth control or no birth control, it's a heart issue. It's not about a number its about trust. If you viewed your kids as you greatest asset and your tool to help change the world how would that affect your parenting today. I am grateful my parent's made the choices they did and so grateful my in-laws did too! No, its not always easy. My Mom records some of her journey here and I know you will be encouraged by her message. Maybe you can't have more kids or you have chosen not to, Romans 8:1 says "there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". Don't be condemned, love on the ones you have and view them as an arrow your raising to send out and change the world. This journey of parenthood is something I have only just begin and I know will have many hard days ahead, but I don't do it for those. Yes, they come but I do it for the days my child smiles at me calling my name, I do it for the day my child will come to know the Lord, I do it for the journey my kids will have in there walk with the Lord, I do it so they can start this journey a couple steps ahead of where Jeremy and I started it. I do it cause I was raised with a message that motherhood is a highest calling a Woman can have and that it is an honor and a blessing to bare children. I do it because I want to change the world and leave my mark and will take all the help I can get!

Hard Mommy Days

What's not to love about that baby face? I am more in love with this baby girl then I ever thought possible. This little 13 month old girl has also stretched me in more ways then I ever thought possible! I told my Mom that I didn't know someone this little could challenge me this much! She laughed a sweet chuckle that meant, oh I remember that stage and that kinda made me wonder if my childhood was coming to her mind! ;-) I am number 2 of 11 kids so I don't think there is a stage of motherhood that my Mom hasn't experienced and has some wisdom to offer in. Another sweet Mom whose kids are now grown reminded me "where much is given, much is required". I have to remember that even on those days when I wonder HOW I will survive I have to remember that there are many mom's who have gone before me and survived! Not only survived but did it with class!

I have been convicted that I can only be as good of a Mom as I allow God to use me. In my own strength I cannot make it through the day. I'm SO grateful that I serve a God who gives me new mercies everyday and am surrounded my Mommy's who can encourage and remind me what it's all about!

To my baby girl!

Baby girl,

Your not a baby girl anymore, your 1! We made it! Daddy and I survived our first year of parenthood! You have been on this earth over 365 days! This has been the most incredible year of my life, hard at times but oh so rewarding! When Daddy and I stop and think about our life before you, it seems kinda boring. We can't imagine what we spent our time doing or how we managed without the joy you bring to our lives everyday. We have watched you go from a new baby who slept and ate all the time to a blossoming toddler who talks and walks! You have lots to say and are never at a loss for words, although we don't understand most of the words you say yet. You love other kids and get so excited to play with them. You freely give kisses and hugs. You adore your baby doll and are such a good little mommy to it, you kiss her and hug her then throw her over your shoulder when your done. We still have some things to work on before you become a Mommy I guess!

Teaching you to sleep has been a year long battle and we still have times that you fight it but I think you are learning that Mommy and Daddy always win! You are finally eating more solid foods and love eating what we are eating. You love ice and would be happy all day with a cup of it! You are fearless, nothing seems to scare you! I love that about you! You are so social, talking to everyone at the store and waving to other kids. You wake up talking in the morning go to bed after you snuggle with Mom. Daddy and I love getting you up in the mornings cause you are so snugly, you love to wake us up with kisses and laying in our bed.

You are Daddy's treasure! I love to watch Daddy love you! You have made this couple a family. We love you dearly and cannot imagine everyday without you! We have loved you since the moment we knew you were being formed in my tummy. We haven't done everything right and I'm sure will make many more mistakes but we are doing the best we can. I thank God for allowing me to be your Mommy and trusting us to raise you. Thank you for coming into our world and forever changing us!

Love you baby girl!

Mommy

*photo credit goes to my amazing sister who is pursuing photography, she does amazing work!*

Yummy stuff for free?

Here are some awesome giveaways!

This one is for my local friends... free Mediterranean food! What's not to love!
http://maeannetteburke.blogspot.com/2010/05/101-blog-posts-cafe-medi-giveaway.html

And here are some yummy kid friendly and healthy snacks!
http://www.mommypotamus.com/healthy-snack-giveaway/#comment-1333

Ok, so go and enter to win these! Good luck...although I'm kinda secretly hoping I win! =)