Category Archives: home

Here we are…

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A few short weeks from delivery of our second little one and my excitement is finally rising. I have been excited but there is something about having child number two that puts family in perspective. My family. No longer are we a small group floating along we will be an even number. As many dependents as adults will reside in this home. It is sobering.

I can’t recall how many days out of the week my twenty something self feels like an adult, a functioning adult, but today is one. I look around at the home I reside in and am overwhelmed with the journey here. So many memories floating back. And it is good. Life is good. God is good.

The early years

The once fun man cave has been turned into a nursery complete with diaper genie. That will send you a wake up alone. Only an adults house has a diaper genie. Only a responsible home keeper thinks of diaper disposal. Where have the days gone?

And with the passing of more time we are closer to separation once again. Duty calls. I am so grateful to have an uplifting partner that knows the power of his words. Everyday a new affirmation of our life together. A new piece of love to keep me plowing on, down this unknown road. He is beautiful in that way.

I see friends struggle with the coming time apart. Spouses that have given their fair share of strength to the role of military wife shaken at the promise of another time apart. I have no words for them only faith. Faith that is growing with every dark thought swept aside and every reassuring word. In all things He is there. In all things He remains faithful.

Our newest addition!

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Weekly Roundout

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This week was very full. I bustled to many new baby appointments in this burgeoning heat and was so grateful for the creation of ice cream! I carried a fuller work load with the husband gone and was reminded what a blessing a good nap can be. After every tantrum or sore fit from teething there is a moment of pure baby cuddling bliss that is a reminder from God as to why all this is worth the struggle. Right now I laugh as I watch little one on the monitor sleep with feet out the crib rails cross ways. You would think it would be more comfortable to sleep the other way but then again it is a little present from God to see the daily humor of children. I am so grateful for the week that has passed and looking toward greater goals this week. One day at a time…

Goals for week beginning 7-9

Family Goals:

1. Take my sweets to a play group every week.  He did so much better this week at group play!

2.Read out loud to him for an hour a day. Lunch time is turning out to be the perfect story time. He chews intently while his eyes focus on the pages. He may be too young yet but I have an urge to buy his first chapter book. Maybe Charlotte’s Web…

Personal Goals:

3. Finish Life on Planet Mom. I have almost finished this review to follow shortly!

4. Work 30 minutes daily on quilt. My progress is coming along nicely and the pride wells at having almost completed something that was a real toil for me.

Pregnancy Goals:

5. Do Yoga 30 minutes daily. I feel more “alive” this pregnancy than the first. I was a bit of a bump on a log last time and exercising daily has truly helped my energy levels.

6. Start piecing together baby’s room. I didn’t get far on this. I feel lost moving things without the other half.

Marriage Goals:

7. Create separation and welcome home traditions. (We don’t have our own yet!)

Household Goals:

8. Continue to cut down on clutter!

9. Red Velvet Cake recipe perfection.

 

Week Goals for week 7/16

Family Goals:

1. Take little one to weekly play date.

2. Continue to read aloud an hour a day.

Personal Goals:

3. Work on quilt daily.

4. Finish Life on Planet Mom.

Pregnancy Goals:

5. Continue to work out 30 minutes a day.

6. Add nightly walks with the little one.

Marriage Goals:

7. Write him a love letter.

8. Mail off care package.

Household Goals:

9. Organize hall closets.

10. Find baskets for deep freezer.

 

What are your goals this week?

 

A Great Discovery

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So in the midst of my sleep deprived state I welcomed such great excitement into our home. We are projected to have a GIRL! I never envisioned myself a mother of a girl. Always one to veer closer to the male dominated activities and further from the female as I get older. I hope to teach our love for camping, the outdoors and pursing many a museums as we broaden our horizons together.

Life is an ever changing lesson. Just when you feel you have read all the pages there comes a pop quiz.

So now to set our sites on making this home baby girl friendly. We already live in a sea of jungle animals and building blocks. Girls like those things right?

The Heart of a Mother(‘s Day)

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One of the things I, conveniently, had forgotten about pregnancy was the dreadful insomnia. When My Sweets is sleeping I lay awake unable to sleep, when he is awake I can barely keep my eyes open. This too shall pass but I am just now remembering my previous pregnancy clearly. I have to say that a healthy baby is one of the greatest blessings I have received but it still brings back memories. Memories of sitting through NSTs galore and memorizing magazines on my OBs waiting room wall. I worried so much with baby number one. Do I feel the baby move as much today? Did I sleep on the wrong side last night? Did that have caffeine in it? So much worry.
After it all was said and done I remember taking in my little wrinkly peaches leg folds and yawn creases. I remember the huge relief that this baby was so healthy and here. He was and still is my baby that God has gifted me, entrusted to me. To raise and protect until the end of my days. It is these thoughts that probably have contributed to my insomnia this go around. Not thoughts of worry this time but enormous thoughts of gratitude.
This week has been exhausting and still I lay awake sometimes staring at him. Thanking God for giving me the opportunity of such a great love. Thanking God for loving me that much.

How I Love It

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The weekends when he is home are heaven. Usually they involve a break for Mommy and a long bath. Those little moments stolen away alone to just be…without noise. The moments flowing with kind words of encouragement from my spouse who finally is allowed a day to slow down.
It is in these quiet moments that I find peace in the imperfection of life.
Just as the great Creator accepts us, wholly and in light of our past sins, marriage is built. Someone to accept you and your love. Imperfect and beautiful in all its intention. Someone to pick up your spirits in the light of a utterly boring or depressing week. Grateful to my imperfectly perfect Husband for his love and kindness. When others fail to encourage a partner that is there in love. And I am grateful to God for the gentle reminder of who I should be in this union in return.
Wishing you a love filled weekend break that will encourage and recharge you as well.

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Roast Chicken Repurposed Ten Ways

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Mmm…how I craved one tonight! I bought a small five pound bird for a small price and am already considering all the things I can make with the leftovers. As I stated in my guest post on moneysavingmom.com I love cooking chicken. It can be repurposed so many ways. Here are my top ten.
1. Sliced Chicken and gravy. This was one of my Mother’s third day leftover favorites. After serving the Chicken for two days she would often whip up her favorite gravy with flour, chicken stock and butter in a skillet on the stove. She would then simmer the meat for a few minutes to repurpose it into a whole new meal!
2. Chicken salad sandwich. There are a million go to varieties of this meal. My preferred having low fat mayo, diced red grapes and celery on a whole wheat roll.
3. Chicken soup. After picking all meat off the bone you can add noodles, a variety of vegetables and the chicken to stock you easily have a kitchen go to!
4. Chicken tacos. After having made these using a variety of spices I discovered my husbands favorite using McCormick’s spicy taco packets and very small pieces of diced chicken breasts.
5. Chicken fajitas. Again these can be made simply with a pre made spice packet in you grocery aisle and a few other ingredients.
6. Chicken and dumplings. Left over roast chicken is perfect for this recipe!
7. Chicken and enchiladas. Also a great use for leftovers for here.
8. Classic chicken sandwich. I love shaved chicken breast, mayo, tomato and lettuce on wheat bread. The real reason my “eating for two” self roasted a chicken tonight. Amazing!!
9. Chopped chicken salad. Veggies get a protein kick with this addition.
10. A chicken casserole. With the meat already made you can easily whip one up in less than 30 minutes in one pan. An ideal meal.

By buying a whole chicken instead of breasts you can save up to 50% off. With a little creativity and a few on hand ingredients you can serve the cooked meat many different ways before you family tires of frugality. What are your favorite ways to repurpose a chicken?

Day In, Day Out

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To put it frankly the life of a Military stay at home mother and wife can be very bland many days. We haven’t a great deal of close relations around us or life long friends nearby. We don’t have a history with most places we live. So on days when things go a little south it is easy to become inverted. Today is one of those days.
I was blessed enough to have the foresight to marry a man that understood “in sickness and in health” would occasionally mean bringing home supper for his ailed wife. That was the highlight of my day. I composed myself enough to shower and dress without my makeup or hair done, something I vowed I’d never do just because I had children. However, today sank me. I laid on the couch and listened to soothing music most of the day while sipping Ginger ale and eating rice cakes. If it weren’t for this wicked sore throat today would have been the epitome of relaxation.
Being so far from family I was on my own with my little teething monster today. In between gagging sessions and coughing fits I managed to laugh at his goofy grin. Not to mention the way he manages to fit a whole building block in his mouth before producing such a grin.
It is funny when you see things around you clearly, the bad days don’t seem bad.
Hubby came home to help tonight-check. We have a roof over our heads and food to eat- check. Our health- well I’ll say check just the same. God is good. All the time.

Kid’s Cowboy Party Idea!

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My little man turned one this week and I had so much fun planning his party. We were creative with the cowboy theme and turned some old cardboard boxes into an “outlaw city” that the kids loved. We also started up the fire pit for Smores that were a huge hit. I made almost fifty packages and had only one left post party!  The men folk had a friendly apple bobbin’ competition that brought lots of laughs and our dime store mustaches were a bigger hit than I thought they would be. It just goes to show you that you do not have to spend a ton to make big memories.

Do you have any great Birthday party tips or ideas? I would love to hear them!

Some More Things…

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Last night was HARD. I was up until 3 am with My Sweets comforting him through my nauseous haze. We sat and rocked in every chair in the house and cuddled until he finally found comfort.  Through it all I remembered back to the days before he was a part of our lives. I remember the loss of our first baby. Being told we could not conceive naturally. Having my beautiful loving sister offer to one day, if we needed her to, carry our child.

So much is taken for granted in the waking hours. When sleep is few and far between I could catch my breath to curse the clock or I could soak in this little blessing. He only found comfort in me last night. No matter what we went through to reach this day it was worth it. I know everyday that passes with him in our life is a gift. I hope to smile in all the bad times for the memories I made last night. Carrying our second blessing while holding our first, I looked around and found myself so grateful for where I am in life.

Never give up in your journey towards what you want. It will come when you are ready to receive it in gratitude.