Santa

Wednesday we took Harper to Savannah to see Santa for the FIRST TIME (well the first 'in person' time)! 

FYI: the Bass Pro Shop has Santa every year and you get a free 4 x 6 picture with Santa!!!  WAHOO for free!!

We had a blast watching H see Santa for the first time.  I kind of figure that he would scream and holler but much to my surprise...he went straight to Santa!  He laughed and 'talked' with Santa for a while took a GREAT picture! 

Harper and Uncle Len looking at fish!!!

Harper look at fish!!!

Driving a boat!!!  I want one daddy??

This one speaks for itself! :)

So, for now I leave you with this....Have a blessed Christmas season!

So Much To Be Thankful For

I was going to do a post about putting up our Christmas decorations and all the meaning to me this year.  And I will tomorrow!  But in talking with a friend today I found this weighing on my mind tonight. 

DISCLAIMER:  THE PERSON MENTIONED HERE DOES NOT AND WILL NOT AT ANY TIME READ MY BLOG AND WILL ABSOLUTELY REMAIN NAMELESS AND GENDER NEUTRAL!!!  :)

In a casual conversation I asked a friend tonight how things were going and they responded "life sucks right now".  So I obviously asked what was going on and their response was "money".  I assumed (and yes correctly!) that it was a LACK of money (who in their RIGHT mind would complain about TOO MUCH money right! HA!).  My only response to this person was "money doesn't make or break life".  This person stated that money does absolutely make or break life when you live paycheck to paycheck!  Well this person was PREACHING TO THE CHOIR about living paycheck to paycheck.

Well, at this moment it suddenly hit that shouldn't this friend and ME as well be thankful that we can pay the necessary bills to live and that we at least have the money to live paycheck to paychek (I of course brought this to my friends attention who disagreed).  But in thinking about being in the midst of a lack of money I added to the conversation "well not having money sucks and is hard, don't get me wrong, but life is more than money."  Again, my friend disagreed.  So I asked "tell me one thing that you are thankful for" and the response I got was "right now, nothing!"  I was honestly blown away by this response.  I was sure my friend would be thankful for family members...but no...nothing.

I then clearly asked if my friend wanted to tell their mother, father, brother ,sister, neices, and nephews they were not thankful for them (simply trying to prove a point that there is SO MUCH IN LIFE TO BE THANKFUL FOR....totally went about this the wrong way probably).  But to much avail my friend asked me how being thankful for their family would make them happy in life.  I was saddened by the lack of....well im plain speechless.

This all just got me thinking about how regardless of our financial status how much more life should and DOES mean to us.  Especially those of us who are Christians.  God has blessed us with so much more than money.  And really we need WAY MORE than money to survive in this world.  I know personally I don't know where I would be with out family and friends!

I am extremely thankful God blessed me first with amazing parents who loved me unconditionally (believe me I tried them!) and who raised me to love God, next for blessing me with an amazing husband who puts up with my crap and loves me so for much more than I deserve, and for blessing me with wonderful inlaws who have truly accepted me as a daughter (trust me we have had our "family" fights too!), and finally and most importantly for the MOST AMAZING little boy who I love more than words can say who blows my mind daily at the things he is learning and the way he is growing.  I am also thankful for the amazing friends (new and old....and too many to list) that He has blessed me with.

We are all truly blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving

Ok, so I am totally typing this on Monday night in hopes that I can actually get this posted on Thursday!

We do Thanksgiving at my parents house in Fernandina every year.  Christopher's mom and dad come down also.  And every year my mama makes us go around the table and say what we are thankful for!  The first year I was thankful for my hunny.  Last year I was thankful for H. 

A few days ago I thought about her little "tradition", which got me to thinking about the last year and what it has entailed.  So many things have happened the last year.  Some awesome, amazing things, and some not so great things.  All of which I am thankful for because my relationship with God is stroger now than a year ago, my marriage is stronger now than it was a year go, and I have developed into a much better mommy than I was a year ago!

I am so thankful to parents who have helped us out tremendously the last year.  Some of the things they have done for us go above and beyond.  And I am more grateful than words and express.  But what I think I am the most thankful for is all the happy giggles that fill my house every day.  And the simple fact that I get to be with my sweet boy and hear those giggles.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Family Gatherings

Yesterday H and I made an impromptu trip to F.B. (for those of you not in F.B. that Fernandina Beach, Fl!)!  My grandmother's brother and his wife, and all of their children and their spouses were in town yesterday.  We all at lunch at my grandparents! 

I didn't really want to make the trip yesterday morning because I was tired (still am).  But I am so glad we did.  It was wonderful to see everyone!  And H had a GREAT time playing with his cousin Carter (who is also coming to visit H in Brunswick today!)!

Here are a few pics from yeterday.

Harper and Carter

Harper, Carter, Mimi, Papa, with her brother and his wife



Mimi and Papa with her brother and his wife



Finally At Home

Ok some of you know, some of you dont...we moved this weekend.  We finally are in our own house.  We moved this past Friday (thats where I've been the last few days)!  And I am so greatful for wonderful friends who helped us move...the last TWO moves!  Thanks guys!

The move was very stressful (as all moves are)....in the middle of moving it hit me that in 3 years we have movd 4...yes FOUR....times!  WOW!  And, if I count my first intial move to Brunswick to move in....I have moved 5 times!  CRAZY!  So happy we won't be moving again.

In fact....I told Christopher that if he ever wanted to leve me that was fine...we would just be roommates!  HA!

Harper has been at Gram and Pops all weekend.  He came home today!  Tonight will be his first night here and this mama is praying for a peaceful night!  (You can pray too....thanks)!

So, I woke up Saturday and started my day like anyother (minus H) and it hit me that I finally feel like we are home.  I know home is wherever your family is...but I finally felt at home.  Thinking back to 3 years ago and how bad I hated Brunswick...I laugh.  Living here was the worst thing ever to me, I wanted so desperately to go back home.  But I knew this had to be my knew home, this was where my man was! I didn't know anyone, I didn't know anything about Brunswick, and it was just down right awful.

I am so thankful for MOPS (and Anna for inviting me!) I have really met so many wonderful friends....and the last few months really started developing some awesome friendships.  Christopher and I have some awesome friends too (and I gotta give a shout out to Len and Michelle...who have to be the BEST FRIENDS someone could ask for..they have helped us move the last two times!).  Now, I cannot see us being anywhere different.

I have been a big slacker since last week...but I am so thankful to God for all he has blessed us with the past week.  I cannot describe how excited and thankful I am! 
_________________________________________________________________________________
On another note:
My mama called me this morning and told me that my Aunt Moreta (my Grandfathers Sister) passed away last night/this morning.  Please remember my extended family and her family in your prayers.  No matter what age, losing someone is a difficult thing.  Please pray for healing for her family.  Thanks!  I know you will!

Lessons In Fish Faces

The last few weeks have been so fun with H.  Inspite of the fussyness last week Christopher and I started noticing that he is learning so much, so quick.  I told Christopher last night that H is like a little sponge just soaking it all in.

H is saying "tank you" when he gives you something!

Last week, GiGi taught H how to "gobble" like a turkey.  So now you can ask Harper what does a turkey say and he responds "dobble dobble dobble"!!!

GiGi also sneezed ONE TIME while she was here and for literally 30 minutes H kept saying "ahhhhh chooo"!! HA!  So now you can ask him to sneeze and he says "ahhhh chooo"!

Yesterday though, beat all ive ever seen.  I picked him up and started doing fish faces (hope you know what im talking about) at him.  He cracked up at me for the first few minutes.  But eventually, he tried to do them himself (not quite...but good enough for momma)!  He would do his fish faces and then crack up at himself! 

It hit me at that moment that H wants to immulate everything Christopher and I do.  He wants to be just like mommy and daddy (SCARY!) already.  Which has me thinking what a huge responsibility we have as parents to immulate God's love to our children.

So often as an adult I think of things as insignificant.  But to my child those same exact insignificant things to me...mean the world to him.  I pray that God would mold and shape me into a Godly mother and wife so that H will see His love and that as his mother I would point him to Christ!  What a great honor!

Learning to Turst God

So, the past 4 days or so God has REALLY been teaching me to trust Him!  This may sound awful...but it really is easier said than done.  I want to take everything into my hands and control them...but that is NOT what God wants.  Not to mention I want to worry about everything instead of placing my worries in God's hands. 

A few days ago God led me to the following verses.

Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practive. And the God of peace will be with you.

So, in itself this really spoke to me that night.  I have to truly give everything to Jesus and TRUST HIM and ONLY HIM with my future.  But then I read the same verses in The Message.

Philippians 4:4-9 (The Message)

Celebrate God all day, everyday.  I mean, revel in Him!  Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them.  Help them see that the Master is about to arrive.  He could show up any minute.  Dont fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.  Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, graciout-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.  Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized.  Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

The Message intrepretation of these verses hit me even harder (more like a ton of bricks).  I began to think about the following things.

1.) Do I celebrate God every day?  Really celebrate Him?

2.) Do I make it perfectly clear to everyone I come in contact with that I am on their side?  Do I really let the people close to me know that I care about them?

3.) Am I pointing the people I encounter on a daily basis to God?  Because, in reality He is near...and "He could show up at any minute!" Vs. 5b

4.) I really need to thank Jesus for all he has already done in my life and let those praises shape my worries into prayers and I present to God.

5.) Once I give give my worries to God, I have to absolutely leave them there with Him.

6.) I have to accept the peace that God gives me.  Not just brush it aside and go back to worrying!

7.) I need to thank God for that peace.  Because when I recieve it, it is AMAZING how I feel knowing that He is in control NOT ME!

8.) Am I thinking daily, constantly on things that are ture, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, things that are the best, beautiful, things to praise?

For me its a daily task (ok, more like a minute by minute task) of saying "God here are my worries and concerns and I leave them at Your feet I will let you bear the burden for me."    But the peace that I get when I do so is unexplainable.

God's plans for our (MY) life may not be what we (I) want, but His plan is the best.  And this morning I once again claim these verses for my life and give everything to You Father.  I know that You are in control and for that I am so grateful!

Itchy Mama Update

So, I decided to not bathe in cortisone cream or Aquaphor! I went to Appplecare (for those of you not in Brunswick/Glynn Co thats an Urgent Care Facility).

At Applecare they of course without a rash or any physical sign of itching had no clue as to why im itching all over. They did however give me a shot of steroids and did some blood work to check my Thyroid.

I am sure everything is fine but please pray that all is well with my labs!

Thanks!

Itchy Mama and the Escape Artist

I will start with the itchy mama then proceed to the escape artist.

Yesterday we ate lunch at Ruby Tuesdays (YUM) about 10 to 15 minutes after I finished eating my hands started itching. Slowly my entire body started itching. I had and still have no visible signs of a rash or hives. Nothing red...NOTHING...just the incessant itching that is driving me NUTS!!! I have bathed in lotion numerous times since yesterday afternoon with no relief. The only thing I can think of is I ate something I had a slight allergic reaction to. But then I ask why I don't have a rash? And how long till the itching stops?! I want to overdose on Benadryl...but know I cant take one or I will be drooling (im absolutely not a good medicine taker)! I think I will make a trip to Wal Mart and buy them out of Cortisone and Aquaphor! And bathe in those! HA!

ESCAPE ARTIST
This morning I put H in the play room (pinned in so he couldn't get out...or so I thought) so I could take a shower. While I was in the shower (shampoo in my hair mind you) I hear something. So just to make sure there wasn't an intruder (it never crossed my mind that it could be H...he was barricaded remember?!) I get out of the shower (sopping wet with shapmoo still in my hair). To my dismay I find my sweet escape artist starring at me from my bedroom door!

We are also on GiGi countdown! She is coming tonight and staying until Sunday! YAY! We will be making wonderful memories and taking lots of pictures!

Have a TERRIFFIC THURSDAY!

Growing Pains?

So, in reality I barely made it to bed time with H yesterday!  I was ready to put him by the road with a sign that read "Free to good home"!  He napped great yesterday.  But for some reason cried all afternoon....he wanted to be held and was rubbing his eyes and pulling his hair (a sure fire way to know that he is TIRED)!  Not sure if he is going through a growth spurt or what....but he has been doing the same thing today....crying, wanting to be held, and rubbing his eyes and pulling his hair.....actually he has been doing this since Sunday.  He seems exhausted all day....he will nap for 2 hours in the morning (unusual for him) and nap for around 3 hours in the afternoon....and still sleeping decent at night (only waking once for a bottle)...hmm?  Needless to say he is taking an early morning nap and mommy is having some much needed quiet time.

Ok now, I am going to be totally honest with you guys...the constant crying and screaming and holding is wearing me down.  Not to mention (and you will recall from yesteday's blog) that I have been feeling like I have no support.

Once again the Proverbs 31 devotion was written just for me today. 

Philippians 4:5b The Lord is near.



She talks about going through seasons of pain.  And not hiding the pain but letting God come in and heal our pain.  Reminding us that He is constantly with us and wants to heal our pain.  Well I havent lost anyone or necessarily have that type of pain...but I definitely needed to be reminded today that God is with me no matter what.  To be reminded that with Him alone I can tackle the crying and tiredness with His help.  I needed to be reminded that I dont need to rely on people (whoever they may be) to give me the support I expect.  I dont have to rely on people for this support because I have that in my Heavenly Father 24/7.

1 Corinthians 13:7 It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 



Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.

I thought the full verse was appropriate this morning also.  To be gently reminded that our (MY) gentleness is needs to be evident to everyone....ESPECIALLY H!  Thank You for this reminder!



Father, help me to remember that this too, is a season in our lives.  That this too shall pass.  Give me persevearance to trudge through this season and to always remember that not matter what You are for me and with me!  Thank You for Your unconditional love and support. 

Whether H is going through a growth spurt or not...mommy definitely is.  God is teaching me loving patience and gentleness.  He is teaching me to rely on Him for everything...not others.  And he is teaching me the importance of a schedule! 

Stirred Up!

So many of you know what I have gone through that 6-8 months with H trying to get him to sleep (and probably many of you, like me, have experienced the same thing).  It has been an uphill battle.  I am tired and irritable all the time.  Im not very nice to Christopher, which obviously has caused a wall to be built between us.  I am exhausted and at the end of my rope. 

I have felt, for months, like I get no answers from the pediatrician about this.  For the last two weeks or so  I have been the sleep nazi with naps and staying on schedule.  Finally last night H slept from 7PM to 530AM!  But, this morning we also had an appointment with Mrs. Debbie (the PA at the pediatrician's office), in a last stitch effort to stay with this office.  She didnt give me the magic answer (which I had secretely wanted but knew wouldnt come!), but did provide me with some great suggestions and some wonderful MUCH needed support.

One of her suggestions was to go ahead and convert H to a toddler bed (which is easy to do becasue our crib converts to a toddler bed!)!  But, upon telling Christopher this, he was negative.  I was and still am discouraged.  I wanted to scream JUST SUPPORT ME PLEASE!  I GET UP WITH HIM TIME AFTER TIME EVERY NIGHT, NOT YOU!  But I just very nicely (or I hope so anyways) excused myself off the phone.

So, while H is naping I reluctantly read the Proverbs 31 devotion for today and cried the whole time (still am), because it fits so perfectly.  She talked about having all the right ingredients (faith, a bible, a church, Godly girlfriends, a devotion subscription, and a quite time) but yet getting stuck and burnt up.  She questioned if your family, marriage, job etc. feels like a whirlwind going through them.  I wanted to shake the computer and SCREAM YES BUT ITS MORE LIKE A MONSOON AND IM DROWNING!  Her answer to this was quite simple, its a good thing and to think of it as God stirring the sweetness in! 

I want nothing more than to be a sweet, Godly woman.  I want nothing more than to have a healthy, thriving little boy who I can teach God's love to.

My prayer for today is that I simply get through todays monsoon.  That God would continue to work in me, making me into a better wife and mother.  That he would make me a little sweeter today!  And finally that He would remind me when im at the end of my rope feeling unsupported that He, my Savior, supports me whole heartedly.  Thanks you Jesus!

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

The cutest pirate you ever saw!

GiGi said H had to have a halloween costume...so he was a pirate!  He was the cutest pirate you ever saw!

Although he didnt last too long in his pirate garb because he got too hot!



Golf Adventure

Update #3!

I had mentioned earlier in the week that on Friday (since we didnt have H) that we could go play a round of golf.  Of course I was also quick to mention that Christopher might not want to play with me because I am so awful....and slow! 

On Friday morning Christopher actually took me to play my first EVER full round of golf!  (Sorry no pics....I figured that wasnt the "golfer" thing to do)!  He did inform me before we left that I may not be able to play every hole through...depending on how busy the golf course was.

Well, we started hole one thinking that there wasnt anyone teeing off directly after us...but quickly we learned there was!  I was crushed thinking I would only get to hit a few shots at each hole!  But much to my liking all the golfers in front of us (and there was MANY...as the course was packed that day due to Florida Georgia weekend) golf was going slow and we had to wait on the groups infront of us so I got to play EVERY hole all the way through!

Ok, so in reality I THREW the ball a few times!  Not exactly a fair shot!  But a few times I got so mad with myself I just picked the ball up and chunked it!  HA!  Now there was a time that I hit my ball into a bunker (sand trap) (which only happened twice this round of golf!) but a guy on A DIFFERENT hole hit his ball into my bunker too.  I got there first and attempted to hit my ball out...I missed!  Well, in an attempt to not hold this other random guy up I just threw my ball out.  His remark..."WOW!  That was the best shot I have see all day!  Didn't even pick up any sand!"  HA! 

In the end I had a blast!  The verdict is still out on Christopher however!  :)

After this experience Christopher informed me that I really should take golf again in January as my second PE credit!  So, I am proud to say not only did I play my first round of golf; but I am also registered for golf AGAIN!  HA!

Sea Turtles

UPDATE #2

As I mentioned earlier Christopher has been on vacation this last week.  Wednesday Christopher and I took Harper over to Jekyll to the Sea Turtle Center.  If you live in the Brunswick/Glynn County area I hightly recommend going if you havent been!  We had a blast!

The turtles were an amazing site.  The center had pictures of what the turtles ooked like when they were rescued and why they were rescued...and you could absolutely tell that the center has rehabilitated these sweet creatures.

I was a little unsure how Harper would react.  But he absolutely had a blast!  He watched the turtles intently. 

He also kept trying to climb over the railing and get down!  He wanted to swim with a turtle!  Harper and his daddy had a great time together and this next picture shows that in its entirety.

Besides having a few minutes (literally it only took us about 45 minutes or so to walk through) of great family bonding it was so incredible to see how far the turtles have come!



This little (or not so little) guy was iver 140 lbs!!!



Birthday Boy

I have absolutely been slacking with my blogging.  Not to mention Christopher has been on vacation the last week and we have had a lot going on. I am going to attempt to get this thing caught up...but it will take me a few posts to do so.

I will start with Harper's Birthday.  All of you know by now my baby isnt a baby anymore.  He is officially a toddler!  :(  It is the most exciting and sad thing ever for a mama!  Thursday night I cried becasue all I could think was "when I put him to bed and get him up in the morning he wont be a baby anymore...he will be a toddler"! 

Friday (10/21) his birthday, I was good...didnt shed one tear!


Saturday we decided to get his hair cut (it needed it bad)!  And I cried because in the end he looks like a big boy!!

I was also quite proud of my big boy, with the help of a sucker, he sat fairly still and never cried during his haircut!

Sunday we also had a 1st Birthday Party for him!  It wasnt anything big, but his mommy had a blast and will definitely remember it.  I regret to inform you that his mommy was also so tuckered out after the party that there will not be a party for a few years!  HA!  But he had a blast being the center of attention and here are some great pics from that day.  THANKS Serena for taking, editing, and sending them to us!

Funny thing was Harper did not want anything to do with his cake!  He would not touch it! 



Now, after the fact, Pops (Christopher's dad) gave him bites of cake off a fork and he loved it!

Guess the moral of the story is, Harper doesn't like to "dig in" and get dirty!  HA!

Not the best picture of us but it sums up the day!

Its still desperately hard for this mama to believe that her baby is a big boy now!  And it amazes me that day in and day out he is growing and learning.  Every day he shows me that he is soaking in his surroundings and learning something new!  I love you Harper Barnes!

First update in a long time!

It has been a while since I have even cared to look at this blog.  Life happened, I got busy, and eventually I stopped caring about it!  But here I am!

This week we are getting ready for Harper's first birthday!  I CANNOT believe that he is turning ONE!  Where has the year gone?  Just yesterday I took a home pregnancy test and found out I was preggo!  And Friday hes turning one!  God has truly blessed me beyond imagine with an amazing little boy!  The BEST little boy, I say!  He has a funny personality, he is sweet, and I love him to pieces. 

As I will be running around getting things together for his party this week im also trying to plan a halloween costume for him.  I wasnt really planning on doing anything for this but GiGi kindly told me a few days ago that he HAD to have a costume!  She bought him this styrofoam sword not to long ago and told me to plan around that.  So, I racked my brain for a few days...couldnt come up with anything so I asked Christopher.  Good ol' Christopher to the rescue!  First thing out of his mouth?  A pirate!  Great idea daddy!  So now I am planning a pirate costume.

I googled pirate costumes (thanks google!) and got my list together: black pants that need to be cut and frayed, a white shirt that need to be frayed, red vest, a hat, a sword (DONE), and an eye patch (done, found one at the dollar store for $1).  So, im going to look at the consignment store for black pants and a white shirt since im cutting them anyways!  But I am thinking im going to attempt to make a red pirate vest out of felt (ill sew it, yes).  And attempt to make a black pirate hat out of foam pieces.  I will post pictures along the way.  Maybe it wont turn out a total disaster!

10 Things I Have Learned In the Last Year!

So this idea did not just come to me in my sleep....I totally stole it from a friend off FB!  THANKS JASON!

10 things I have learned in the last year

1.) How to be a mommy.  Any woman can be a mother, changing dirty diapers, feeding babies who need to be fed, dressing babies in clothes, giving baths (ok...maybe not every woman can be a mother!).  But it takes a special woman to be a mommy.  Someone who gets up early in the morning to have coffee so by the time her baby/child is awake she is dressed and ready to hit the floor playing.  Someone who plays peek a boo for hours just because it makes him laugh.  Someone who lives for bath time at night because her baby loves playing in water.  Someone who will act the total fool all to hear her baby laugh.  Everyday is not easy but I love being a mommy to Harper!  He feels my life with so much love and laughter (such a cliche I know!)!

2.) That I am the perfect mommy for my child.  As hard as things become sometimes and despite the monster mommy who occasionally comes out for a visit I have learned that I am the best mother for my child.  Despite all the "you arent doing it correctly" or "I dont do it like that" or "really you do that" I have come to realize that no other woman could be the type of mother that my child needs.  God knew this little bit of information and totally blessed me with Harper!

3.) As a mommy, it is A OK to ask for help!  NO ONE IS SUPER MOM!  NOT EVEN ME! I know thats hard for all of you to stomach!  HA!  I tried for months to do it.  ALL the laundry, ALL the house work, ALL of my school work, taking care of ALL Harper's needs...and guess what? I FAILED!  I hated asking for help becasue I always felt like I was failing and letting everyone in my life down.  I had help OFFERED FREELY to me but  I turned it down consistently.  But then I started realizing that I was not failing and that asking for help is ok! 

4.) Time really does fly by!  You always know that time seems to go faster the older you get.  However, until you have a child I dont think you truly understand this.  Harper is almost a year old now and that is so hard to believe because it seems like I was just preggo with him!  The time old saying is absolutely true "love them now becasue they grow up too fast!"

5.) Material things and wants are not important what so ever.  Through the last years staying home with my baby I have longed to have so many things (in reality we have way more than most do).  Then one day it hit me that I have an amazing husband who allows me to stay home with our child and everything I cannot "have" is totally worth it.  Maybe those things will come, maybe they wont but regardless I am totally blessed beyond what I deserve!

6.) Making friends is absolutely necessary in the game of motherhood!  I have learned this more recently than ever.  I love EACH AND EVERY ONE OF MY FRIENDS.  But my newer friends who are mommies with children around Harper's age are an amazing benefit to my circle of friends.  They have helped guide me through many "mothering" experiences!

7.) A prayer partner is essential in life!  Through reading the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" God revealed to me that I needed a prayer partner.  Someone who I could be totally, completely open and honest with.  After a few prayers asking Him who that should be He totally led me to the most amazing prayer partner ever!  Thanks (she knows who she is...cant reveal her name, she knows too many embarrassing things about me now!)!  She has become an amazing friend already and I know that without a doubt in my mind I can trust her no matter what!

8.) GOLF IS HARD!  It is probably one of the most challenging things I have ever done (besides being a wife and mother)!  I guess I thought I would walk out there, pick up a club, and hit the ball like a pro.  GUESS WHAT?  I STINK at it!  A few weeks ago I honestly thought about dropping the class and quitting...but I didnt.  Im glad I didnt...even though I am totally awful at it I have so much fun laughing at myself hitting dirt!  :)

9.) I actually enjoy running.  I kept saying I hated it and I would never like it but I do!  I did hate it to begin with but now it has gotten a little easier and I and thoroughly enjoying it!

10.) (This one is so not serious and a little funny)  The Nook Color is an AMAZING INVENTION!  I should have bought one of these a LONG TIME AGO (Ok correction my mommy should have gotten me one of these things a long time ago being as she got me this one!).  It has totally saved my life.  Yes its an ereader but it does SO MUCH MORE!  My entire life is on there.  Now to get Christopher to get me a cover for it and ill be set! (Seriously the covers for those things are EXPENSIVE!)

A Woman In Need Of Motivation!

I am a woman in need of motivation tonight.  I have hit a wall and I no longer want to fulfill any of my responsibilities.  Im not sitting around on my tail eating bon bon's all day...but I just have no motivation what so ever!  HELP!

I used to have (for the most part) the house in order (AT LEAST), laundry done, school work done in advanced, dinner cooked!  Now...we are lucky if the trash isnt over flowing (ok NOT THAT BAD), Christopher has a clean work shirt on Saturday (which has been the case the last two weekends), school work gets turned in within 2 minutes of being due, and dinner is out of a box!

I have no idea what my problem is.  But I need a major overhaul!

THANK HEAVENS, I have an AMAZINGLY patient and understanding husband when it comes to these things.  As long as Harper is healthy and thriving hes ok with helping out in the other areas...which is great!  But I have to feel sorry for him right now because he deserves way better! (NO he doesnt read my blog...he doesnt even have permission to!)

What do you do when you have lost complete motivation to do anything but play with your baby and take naps (of course no joke here when I say I am tired).

Which brings me to the sleep issue.  IT HAS GOTTEN SO MUCH BETTER THE LAST WEEK!  I am so hesitant to say anything because I dont want to jinx anything...but we dont believe in jinxing (is that even a word?!), we believe that all things work by Gods standards!  I switched Harpers schedule a little and did some tweaking....and I dont know if thats it but he is only waking up 1-2 times a night now!  A TOTAL and COMPLETE turn around!  Please, Dear Lord let this continue.

I am hoping that a few weeks of good sleep habits again and I will be back to super mom!  HA!  NOT REALLY...I WAS NEVER AND WILL NEVER BE ANYWHERE CLOSE TO SUPER MOM!  But at least back to being motivated to complete tasks!

A total slacker!

This past week I was a total complete slacker at blogging!  WAIT! I was a total slacker at everything.  My house shows it!  So, today im trying to play catch up. 

Had to catch up the English homework...which was due yesterday, and actually submitted yesterday.  HOWEVER, she returned it to me!  WOW!  Guess it was awful. 

Trying to catch up laundry and house work (havent been too successful since English took up my entire morning!).

And now trying to catch the blog up.

So last week (as many of you probably already know) Tuesday night was a horrendous night in the Barnes household.  Harper screamed all night long.  Well Wednesday he woke up with a clear runny nose, no fever...and being EXHAUSTED I called in the backups and sent him to Blackshear.  Thursday afternoon I get a phone call from my MIL that the childs drainage is now green and hes running a fever.  So Friday we go to the doctor...just a cold...of course nothing we can do but deal!  By Sunday we were all feeling bad.  By Monday Christopher has it really bad and its like having two babies!  :)

On a good note....Gi Gi and Aunt Robyn came to visit Sunday!  I had a happy, happy boy!  He loves his Aunt Robyn...he loves GiGi too...but Aunt Robyn lives far far away!

Monday (yesterday....labor day) GiGi and I took Harper to Darien to the Carters outlet...WOW!  We got some super good deals!  The monkey has all the clothes he needs for the next 3 years!  HAHA!  Ok not really!  But close to it!

While we were out GiGi also got mommy an early Birthday and Christmas present (3 months early!)...I got a Nook Color!  Totally awesome!  Its a great ereader but it does soo much more...not quite as impressive as an ipad of course (which GiGi has...) but its awesome!  Christopher just shook his head...he knows my technology addiction is bad!

I also have not been running in a week...again a total slacker!  I completely forgot yesterday was running day...until THIS MORNING!  WOW!  That was a complete FAIL!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing

Ok so several of you have asked me to blog this recipe...

Chocolate Cupcakes
Prepare 1 Duncan Hines Chocolate Cake mix per instructions on box.  Add 1/4 pouch chocolate pudding to cake mix (this is absolutely what makes a cake moist!  You add pudding to any cake mix and you end up with a moist yummy cake!  Yellow cake: add vanilla pudding!) and mix well.  Fill cupcake pans and bake according to box.

Peanut Butter Icing
1/3 cup Crisco
1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
4 cups powdered sugar
4-6 tablespoons milk

1.) Cream Crisco and SOFTENED butter in mixer.
2.) Add peanut butter and vanilla and mix well.
3.) Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time (no matter what you will put all 4 cups in...however, if you add all 4 cups at one time you will end up covered in powdered sugar!)...at this point your icing will be EXTREMELY DRY AND CRUMBLY!!!
4.) Mix in milk 1 tablespoon at a time.  You may or may not have to add all the milk....I use low fat milk on a daily basis and I needed all 6 tablespoons.  You want enough milk to make the icing light and fluffy...

Monster Mommy

"Monster Mommy" This is not my phrase...I stole it from a friend...but I dont think she will mind. 

Monster Mommy is a great way to describe me this morning.  I felt like poo last night (like im coming down with a cold) so with Christophers advice that he would hear Harper, I took some Nyquil last night.  BAD MISTAKE!!!  He did hear Harper but so did the entire neighborhood.  We have had problems sleeping but for the first time in a month or better the child would not sleep for ANYTHING....he had a night where all he wanted to do was PLAY.  So on top of taking the Nyquil I was up all night and now I feel like I have a hangover and had no fun in getting there!

I want to scream at everything.  I want to look at myself in the mirror and scream.  Im losing it today!  I need lots of prayer. 

Like I do every morning I put Harper down in his end of the room to play in this area and I pull of Proverbs 31 Ministries website to read the daily devotional.  I tell God...I dont want to do...I dont want to talk or spend time with anyone.  I want to go crawl back in my bed.  I want to cry and have a pity party.  But despite these feelings I read it. 

Glad I read todays devotional it talked about getting our confidience back.  About not blocking the Light so we dont end up with a showed of doubt distorting who we are in Christ!  I have no confidience in being a mommy today.  I want someone else to do it.  But I have to remember Christ called me to be this little boy's mother and I and only I am capable of being the mother that he needs.  God give me the strength to get through today.  Wash your Spirit over me and refresh me for todays challenges.

Here is the link for the website:
http://devotions.proverbs31.org/

Devotion!

I woke up this morning with a lot on my plate and feeling weary about it.  This was just what I needed!  I hope it helps you out!  Enjoy!


http://devotions.proverbs31.org/

Where did all the coffee go??

Sitting here trying to come up with some witty blog post that actually means something I realized I just don’t have it in me today.  I am exhausted.  Between classes, house work (which if I’m honest I haven’t done a whole lot of this week :( ), and Harper I am beat this morning.  It has quickly become a 2+ cup of coffee morning and I quickly realize I need to pull up the Proverbs 31 Ministry website and see what God has to say to me today (I know I need desperately to buy a devotion book....so I’m not so reliant on technology).  Problem is, it’s Saturday and the devotion is yesterdays...see this is prime example why I need a new devotion book!  So I decided to just pray.  Something’s I think praying is as beneficial....especially on mornings like this morning when I just wasn’t feeling being out of my bed.  I was completely having a pity party with myself this morning.  I was feeling sorry for myself...that I don’t get sleep...ever!  But then I realized that I every other mom has gone through the same thing.  My slight problem is when I get over exhausted I become EXTREMELY grumpy...seriously...ask Christopher (wait, DONT ask him, he doesn’t need to know I admitted that!  Ha!). 

Through praying I and thinking (I hesitate to use the word mediate, don’t want yall thinking I’m a weirdo!  I am but...) about all of this, this morning I realize that I am blessed beyond measure, more than I ever deserve (well I don’t just realize I’m blessed). But I do realize that God uses difficult circumstances sometimes to teach us things and to shape us into the persons He wants us to be.  It’s kind of like that Laura Story song Blessings.  If you haven’t listened to it....go buy it on iTunes!  I also came across this verse

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

I can’t do this mommy thing without Him.  I realize that I desperately need Him to renew my strength, daily.  I also came across this verse

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Wow!  This completely hit home!  I need to work on being joyful and patient!  Then of course there’s always the tried and true...

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Again...WOW!  Something as simple as sleep...would turn me into a different person.  I think to myself: when I end up exhausted I become NOT patient, NOT kind, I envy everyone around me who is getting it, I become irritable and rude...do I need to keep going!  NO!  I need more sleepless nights so I can work on these awful character traits.  I will most definitely need PRAYER and GODS HELP!

None of these verses or ideas are new to me.  I grew up in church!  But they all have a new meaning to me this morning.

Running Wednesday and Praying Thursday

I love Wednesday even more than Tuesday nights because Christopher is home with us ALL DAY!  So much fun!  We did absolutely nothing yesterday...and it was nice!  I love days when we all get to sit around and relax.  I take that back, Christopher cleaned the pool and we went swimming for a little while yesterday afternoon.  Boy, Harper LOVES water...of ANY SORT! 

Yesterday morning I ask Christopher what he wants for dinner.  I throw a few ideas around...things we havent had in a while...and he turns them all down.  So after a few minutes he says to me "you know what I want?"  Im think everything you want we've had recently...very recently.  Then he says "youre going to think im crazy for wanting this too."  So Im thinking oh my what does the boy want for dinner?!  He says "chili!"  REALLY?  CHILI??  ITS 400 DEGREES OUTSIDE!  But we had chili....and it was YUMMO! 

Alicia's Blackbean Chili
*1 pound ground beef
*1 15 ounce can of Hunt's Tomato Sauce
*2 Cans Bush's Black Beans (you can use other brands im just picky about things in cans)
*1 Cup + a little extra fresh salsa (I actually no longer use FRESH salsa, I use tostitos RESTAURANT salsa...tastes as good as fresh and lasts a lot longer...theres usually not a lot in a container of fresh)
*Chli powder to taste
*Flour to thicken

1.) Brown beef in pot and season WELL with salt and pepper.
2.) Add tomato sauce.  Also I rinse my can out with just a small amount of water.
3.) Add both cans of black beans.
4.) Add 1 cup salsa.  Taste (at this point in the process you will want a good tomato flavor) if you think it needs more salsa start adding a little at a time until you get that good tomato flavor.
5.) Stir well and then start adding chili powder.  I actually add a decent amount of chili powder because we like our chili very "chili" tasting and a little spicy.  But just start adding small amounts until you get it where you want.
6.) Bring to a boil for 5 mins or so.  At this point it will look like soup.
7.) Start adding SMALL...let me repeat that SMALL amounts of flour to thicken.  When you add the flour YOU HAVE TO BE ACTIVELY STIRRING...if you do not stir well you will end up with lumps of flour in your chili (YUCK)!  Just add small amounts until its as thick as you want it.

We eat ours with cheese and sour cream mixed in...and with Fritos!  YUMMO!!!

But the kicker to the chili story is right before I started cooking Christopher says to me "I wanna cook it!"  Wait, you dont know how to cook chili how are you going to cook it?!  So he tells me he wants me to teach him...that way he can kick me to the curb!  HA!  Guess thats all im wanted for...my cooking?!  Ok so dont freak out...he was kidding!  TOTALLY!  You have to know Christopher probably to fully believe me...but those of you that know him well...will understand the humor behind this! 

After dinner I met Priscilla, my running partner, to go for a run!  We ended up at CCGA and running their "track"...this is actually not a track as it is not paved...it goes all over CCGA property and kind of in the "woods".  I was a little leery but it was acutally awesome.  The sun was not beating down on us becasue of the trees and shade.  And there was actually a little breeze through the trees!  We are still on week one...but WE RAN ALL OF OUR RUNS this time!  IM SO PROUD OF US!  I still dont ENJOY running, but I did sleep well last night....when I wasnt up with Harper (which was only once or twice...cant really remember!)!  And I feel good this morning!  WOO HOO!

So on to today.  In the middle of my praying this morning Christopher called...I answered it because if I dont answer when HE calls I usually miss him.  So while talking to him I take the time and read a friends blog...and she shared these verses a few days ago and it HIT HOME!

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"  Hebrews 13:5-6

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

Wow, I thought how many times....and even this morning....do I think oh I want this or I want that.  What are we gonna do to make it this week etc.  But this just opened my eyes once again...that we are truly blesses.  We should not have some of the things we have and we absolutely dont deserve the things we have.  Thanks Serena!

I needed to hear this because we are going through some things in our house and I am trying to trust God.  Trust that he will provide.  That he will work things out to His will.

Tuesday Golf

I love Tuesdays in general for several reasons.  First, Christopher usually gets home farily early and Tuesday nights Christopher stays up a little later since hes off on Wednesdays.  Therefore, Tuesday nights just seem a bit more relaxed.  But today was even better for me...Christopher went with me to Golf class.  We actually went early so he could help me.  And help me he did!  WOW!  I must have hit a bizillion golf balls today!  Im sore and TIRED!  But I had a BLAST and loved spending every minute with my man!

While we were gone Aunt Chelle (a friend really) kept Harper.  She sent me a text not too long after I dropped him off that he was really whiney.  She also told me this when I picked him up.  It was clear TO EVERYONE INVOLVED that the Monkey (Harper) hasnt been anywhere without me in A LONG TIME.  Guess Im going to have to start sending him to stay at GiGi and Papa's (my mom and dad) and Grams and Pops (Christophers mom and dad) more often!

In preparation for this afternoon I made dinner ahead....Chicken Salad!  I actually make 2 DIFFERENT recipes...one for Christopher and one for me.  The reasoning behind this is Christopher only likes his with sweet pickles and I cant stand sweet pickles in Chicken Salad.  So here are the recipes....sorry no pics tonight!

Christopher's Chicken Salad
3-4 Chicken tenders shredded (you can use breasts...we just only buy tenders)
Bread and Butter Pickles cut in small pieces (you can use relish if you would like)
Mayonaise
Onion Powder (you can use onion cut in to small pieces)
Salt and Pepper
Splenda

1.) Mix shredded chicken, pickles, mayo together in bowl
2.) Add Onion Powder and salt and pepper to taste
3.) Mix in 2 to 2 1/2 packets splenda (I KNOW this sounds WEIRD but this is my MIL's secret....and Christopher being a picky eater....HE LOVES THIS CHICKEN SALAD!)
4.) ENJOY

Alicia's Chicken Salad
3-4 Chicken Tenders Shredded
Dill Pickles cut into pieces (again you can use relish if you would like)
Onion Powder (again you can use onion cut into small pieces)
Garlic Powder
Dill
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 cooked pasta (anything small works!)

1.)Mix Chicken, dill pieces, and mayo in bowl.
2.)Add Onion powder, garlic powder, salt pepper, and dill to taste
3.)Mix in pasta
4.)ENJOY!

Last Week Update and the Dreaded Monday!

I am WAY BEHIND on bloggin this week!  Honestly, it was a crazy week!  We had a MOPS planning meeting last Tuesday.  WOW!  Going to be an AWESOME YEAR!  You better RSVP NOW! 

I am attempting....well already tried it once...to make smores cupcakes.  The cake part was AMAZING.  But I failed big time on the icing.  Looking for recipes for marshmallow icing....tricky thing is I want it to not be so thin and be more substantial.  If you have one let me know!  Greatly appreaciated!

So to top it all off classes started last Monday!  Sometimes I think having a regular job would be easier than taking care of Harper and going to school full time!  But im hoping for a fairly easy semester...English 2, Medical Terminology, Global Issues, and Golf!  Obviously English 2 is about the only "real" class listed!  Of course now that ive said that...everything will kick my booty!

GOLF....BEFORE I could even leave the house Christopher was telling me I was carrying the clubs wrong (I really knew how to carry them...I was simply going from the storage building to the car though)!  Right then and there I decided he was NOT HELPING me with this.  So, I get to class and after a few basic first day activities he let us go...unless we wanted to hit balls...SOO, a few of us girls decided to stay and see what we had.  WELL.....I HAD NOTHING!  I was PATHETIC!  It was quite comical.  At this moment I changed my mind...CHRISTOPHER HAS TO HELP ME!  So after a little arranging for a baby sitter (THANKS AUNT CHELLE!) and a few emails to the teacher...Christopher is actually going to class with me tomorrow...maybe we wont end up divorced tomorrow night!  HA!  I will update later this week on that experience!

Harper and I went to SSCC again yesterday.  I really enjoyed the service.  I have REALLY ENJOYED ALL THE SERVICES WEVE BEEN TO.  However, every time we have been when I pick Harper up from the nursery and ask about his bottle they tell me no.  I dont know if hes refusing it or whats going on.  I AM NOT SAYING THEY ARE NOT TAKING CARE OF HIM.  THEY HAVE DONT A WONDERFUL JOB CARRING FOR HIM SO PLEASE DONT THINK THAT WHAT SO EVER.  However, driving off of SSI to the other side of Brunswick (for those of you not in the 912 thats about a 25 to 30 minute drive) with a STARVING baby who is SCREAMING the entire time is not fun.  Im really not sure what to do.  Thoughts on this would be greatly appreaciated!  Thanks in advance!  Also, I posted something about this on FB yesterday afternoon (it has since been deleted).  I apologize if I hurt anyones feelings or sounded mad or rude.  That was not my intention and IS NOT my intention now.  Just want some thoughts.  Thanks!

So, the big news of the week...IRENE!  Im not going to lie, im a little excited!  Mom, dont have a heartattack if you read this....I used to HATE these storms and DREAD them.  They would make me anxious and wanna run for the hills.  Today however, I am READY!  I think ive been around Christopher too long!  HA!  Actually, I have already been thinking of the things we need to survive with no power (just in case we lose it  you know)!  I also mowed the grass this morning and have been cleaning and doing laundry all day in preparation.  Now that im ready it wont come any where near us!

I do have a prayer request for you guys in the coming weeks.  Christopher is looking for another job.  I wont get into the details and specifics of why...mainly because its more difficult to exaplain than anything.  We really need something with better hours, and at least the same salary that hes making now.  I am NOT aksing for the perfect job to just fall in his lap.  But I am asking God to bless his efforts and lead him to the perfect job!  Thanks in advance!

OH OH OH!  Just figured out how to change the background on the blog!  THANKS SERENA!  Yall wait...itll changed ALL THE TIME!

Awesome Devotion for today!

GREAT DEVOTION TODAY

Weekend in the 912!

What a weekend!  Saturday Harper and I went to Fernandina and met an old friend (NO YOU ARENT OLD MISSY JUST BEEN FOREVER SINCE I HAVE SEEN YOU!) for cupcakes at Bliss Cupcakery!  WOW!  I dont know what was better seeing a friend or eating yummy cupcakes!  OK, see her was better....but those cupcakes are hard to beat!  If you live there and havent been GO!  If you dont live in the 904 I HIGHLY reccomend a trip specifically to eat cupcakes at Bliss!  WORTH THE TIME! 

My favorite cupcake at Bliss is their Smores cupcake (they did NOT have it Saturday....huge dissappointment....but Wedding Cake was just as good)!  I think im going to attempt to make my version of smores cupcakes this week.  I will let you know how they turn out!

Harper and I went to church yesterday at SSCC again!  LOVE IT!  What an amazing church!  Ok, but I do have a FUNNY story from church yesterday.  Since kiddos are heading back to school the service yesterday was geared around the childrens dept and what they do in the back etc.  They also prayed over some principles/headmasters of local schools here in the 912!  AWESOME!  Ok funny part: at the start of the service the family life pastor was describing what the childrens dept entailed and how many workers it took to make it happen every Sunday....well they brought in EVERY CHILD out of the back!  Being a HUGE church there were lovely CHILDREN EVERYWHERE.  Of course people were carrying in our little ones! (And no they did not tell us this was happening when we dropped them off...ok though!)  So Harper and the lovely lady holding him end up RIGHT in the MIDDLE RIGHT ON STAGE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FAMLY LIFE PASTOR!  After just a few minutes Harper has a melt down.  I dont catch at first that its my kid (I knew where he was but I was looking at all the other kiddos).  First the random people next to me (who at this point do not know its my kid screaming) are laughing then the friends I sit with get my attention and are like ummm thats YOUR KID!  Oh goodness I wanted to crawl under the chair when the family life pastor STARTS TALKING TO MY KID ON STAGE TRYING TO CALM HIM DOWN!!!!!  YIKES!  Dont guess Harpers gonna work in Hollywood anytime soon! 

Great devotion VIA: Proverbs 31 Ministries

Awesome devotion for today....thanks Jessica for turning me on to this site by your posts on FB!

Tuesday's Beef Stew and Wednesdays yard work!

Tuesday morning started out amazing....as I woke up right before the alarm went off and realized that Harper SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!  Not one peep out of him...or so I figure since I didnt obviously hear him! I prayed he would do it again Tuesday night...but no such luck!  Oh well!  Maybe tonight!  Im one tired mama (kind of like one hot mama...well.... I am usually hot too!  HA!HA!)!  For a moment I was quite impressed with myself...by 7:15 Tuesday morning I had my coffee, taken a shower, put up clean dishes, loaded the dishwasher (SHHHH DONT TELL CHRISTOPHER....he HATES it when I run that thing...costs too much money he says...but I say it makes my life a LOT easier and probably makes me nicer!), and started the prep work for my beef stew!  However, not too long after starting my prep work and peeling carrots, I put the peels in my garbage disposal (WHICH I ALWAYS DO THATS WHAT ITS FOR) and I ended up with TWO kitchen sinks backed up!  REALLY!!!!????  Frustration beyond belief.  However, I called Trevor (our great plumber) and he said worse case scenario he would be at my house RIGHT AFTER LUNCH!  I really love people who are sympathetic to the fact that sometimes im helpless!

On to the Beef Stew!  Like I said previously I combined two recipes!

BEEF STEW
-Stew meat (I actually used about 3 or so -could have been more actually-because I made enough for two families)
-Potatoes
-Carrots
-Onions (Christopher doesnt like biting into onions so I always use onion powder in everything not onions)
-Basil
-Oregano
-Thyme
-Rosemary
-Salt
-Pepper
-Flour (I used about 4 1/2 tablespoons, again because I made so much)
-1 Box beef broth

1.) Wash and peel carrots and potatoes (FYI: You can put carrot peels in the garbage disposal...just keep reading and you will understand why my sinks were backed up!)
2.) Cut carrots and potatoes in large chunks.  If you cut your potatoes early (which I did) simply stick them in some COLD water!

3.) Mix flour, salt, pepper, and spices in bowl. (I just guessed on the spices...I dont really measure except for baking!)

4.) Mix carrots, potatoes, and meat in large bowl (if you used onions mix in also)

5.) Sprinkle flour mixture over veggies and meat and mix to evenly coat.

6.) Dump mixture into crock pot and cover with 1 box beef broth. (because I cooked SO MUCH I had to add a little water so everything was covered or partially covered)



7.) Let cook in crock pot on high for 4-8 hours (depending on crock pot im sure) until potatoes and carrots are tender. (stirring every now and then.  Since mine was not quite covered all the way I stirred quite often at frst so everything would cook)

This was about half way through cooking!



Final Product!

So I must say that despite the sink issue this was a very easy mean and was very yummy!  Christopher even gave me a compliment....which is big so it was YUMMY!

 

SO update on the kitchen sinks.  The plumber came and did his plumber thing and unclogged the sinks.  He shows me this "thing" (as he called it) that all my food from my garbage disposal was getting caught on and around.  He states "I have no idea what it is but sinks are fixed!"  To which I kindly respond "gee I dont know either thank you have a nice day."  When in reality I was thinking OH CRAP THATS THE SMALL BRUSH TO CLEAN THE VENTS IN THE BOTTLES (if you use or used the Dr. Brown's bottles you will know exactly what im talking about)!  OOPS!!!!!  Dont guess that was suppose to go down the drain!  And in the end I HAD to run the dishwasher because I was out two sinks all day!  :)

 

So I am always telling Christopher to that I never get a break because on his off or early days hes always outside doing yard work to which he always tells me that he would be MORE THAN HAPPY to let me do the yard work!  So this morning I FINALLY DID IT!  I mowed the grass.  He made me start in the back in the event that I botched it up no one would see it but us!  However, when I was finished he LET ME DO THE FRONT!  Guess I didnt do to shabby!  I was quite proud of myself and im thinking a pretty decent little workout too!

Why do we always hate Mondays?

You probably think this post will be depressing....but guess what?  ITS NOT!  I actually look forward to Mondays now....we do not have baby Jackson on Mondays and I get to spend some super quality time with Harper.  He had a great time playing all day it seems!

Harper's GiGi (my mother) bought him a bag of balls and a small pool so yes my 9 month old has his own ball pit!  I keep saying he is spoiled but no one believes me!  HA!

I spent most of this morning looking for recipes for Beef Stew!  As mentioned in yesterdays post im making beef stew for a MOPS member who recently had a baby and I have a small issue....IVE NEVER COOKED BEEF STEW!  I found a million recipes but  I think im going to combine two different ones that I found.  Maybe it will be good! 

I also made homemade chocolate chips cookies today for the same family.  I had to find a different recipe a few days ago (when I made cookies with Hannah during our play date)....I lost mine!  How do you lose a recipe?  Oh yeah, because it was ON MY PHONE and it crashed!  Guess thats what I get for keeping vital information on my phone!  I really need to learn to not rely on my cell phone SOO MUCH!  Ok back on topic here is the new recipe (also on my cell phone currently!) ENJOY!!!!

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
*1 Cup softened butter
*3/4 cup brown sugar
*3/4 cup white sugar
*1 teaspoon vanilla
*2 eggs
*2 1/4 cup flour- all purpose
*1 teaspoon baking soda
*1 teaspoon salt
*2 cups chocolate chips (I do NOT measure this out! the more the chocolate the better right?!)

1.) blend together first 4 ingredients

2.) add eggs and mix well
3.) sift dry ingredients and blend into sugar mixture (I however do NOT own a sifter so I just DUMP IT IN)
4.) stir in chips
5.) bake on 375 for 8-10 mins

When making these cookies from this recipe for the first time the other day I was nervous...but I actually think they are better than the ones from my lost recipe! 

So my new friend Serena told me about this new website pinterest (I have posted a link on the main blog page).  Basically you "pin" pictures of things to different boards under different titles (for example under my favorite products I pinned pictres of the Beauti Control skin care line because I LOVE IT).  HOWEVER (heres the kicker!) you cannot simply create an account...you have to REQUEST an account...then SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, decides that you are cool and invites you to create an account.  I got my email today that said I was accepted!!!  I felt soo cool (*squeal* I really did feel cool!)!  Kind of a neat website....you can look at other cool members boards and pins and get awesome ideas etc...some tips are similar to what you can find on the tip junkie website (also a link on the main blog page)!  So I guess I will have a new addiction now!  Gee thanks....I dont need to be anymore addicted to technology than I already am! 

FINALLY (I know you were wondering when I was gonna shut up!)  my new running buddy and I are supposed to go running tonight!  I honestly dont know what I was thinking committing myself to this running thing!!!  We are doing the Couch to 5k running plan....and people keep telling me that I will ENJOY it after a few times....but Im really beginning to DOUBT that!  Not sure I will ever ENJOY running!  But I cant complain becasue I have two feel and two legs and have the ability to do so!!!