2012, here we come!

It is truly hard for me to believe that 2011 is over. This year has seen so much change in our home, yet to me if feels as though the year began yesterday. This might have something to do with the fact that I’ve been pregnant for half of this past year… and yes, time takes on an entirely new feel when you’re carrying a little one.

As New Years Day approaches, I have done more than my usual “planning” and “brainstorming” and “resolving.” This is probably because my nesting instinct is in full swing. It also has to do with my own feeling of inadequacy to raise two children at the same time. J I want very much to remain close to the Lord, keep a clean and organized home, keep up with my reading, and try some of these lovely pinterest projects during the chaos that is about to descend on my life!

Another big goal of mine is to branch out of my cooking rut this year. I want to begin shopping at Trader Joes, and try at least 4 new recipes a month. For me, that’s a daunting task! I love to cook… but I hate trying new things. Weird isn’t it? I hope to be able to share some of these adventures with you all over the next number of weeks and months.

For now, wish me luck as I dive into these (and other!) lists. We’ll hope to see you a bit more frequently over the upcoming year. 

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Introducing Kimber Janelle

This is me at 21 weeks prego with baby #2.

And today we found out that we're having a....

healthy, beautiful, 

GIRL!!!!

Daddy and Mommy could not be more excited. Kyle? Well, he has no idea what he's in for... and thankfully still seems to love talking about "baby." I'm looking forward to teaching him to say "Kimber" now that we know she's a girl! 

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The Best Apple Pie

This is my Mom's recipe. The. Best. Ever. 

Jan's Apple Pie 

1 Pillsbury Pie Crust (yes, brand is important!)

5 or 6 Macintosh Apples 

1 Stick Butter

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon 

1 Teaspoon Allspice (this is the "fall" taste, and so amazing!)

3 Tablespoons Sugar

Peel the apples, and cut into the thinnest slices you can manage (if you can see through the slice, you're really good at this!). Fill the bottom pie crust with apples. Combine white sugar, allspice, and cinnamon. Shake spice mixture over the apples evenly. Cut together (using a knife or pastry cutter) the stick of butter (straight out of the fridge, don't use soft butter) flour and brown sugar. This is the hardest part and takes a while. When your chunks of butter are around the size of your pinky fingernail or smaller, you're done. Pile the butter mixture onto the apples. Cover with top pie crust and cut slits into the top. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.

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Flat on my face

In the past month, my son has completely changed. I always knew that he had a sin nature, I even saw it at times, but in the past month rebellion, stubbornness, and direct disobedience have all become clearly evident. First they were evident in his actions, then in his words. I’m not shocked at this fact, but I am shocked by the responsibility! This soul that I treasure, while not mine to save, is mine to guide.

Parenting--- I’m afraid I’m going to fall flat on my face!

Suddenly, it occurs to me. Being flat on my face is exactly where I need to be

Bowed in anguish before my God

Pleading my inability and HIS ABILITY

God, keep me flat on my face as I raise my children!

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16 Weeks

What's going on this week:

I'm feeling the baby move a lot. This child is far more active than his brother was, and I have to wonder if we're in for a big personality surprise!

My sickness is gradually decreasing. We turned a real corner around 11 1/2 weeks, and I am so thankful! I still throw up during morning diaper changes, but that's all.

I. feel. huge. And I know I'm only beginning. So far I have lost 5 lbs, and gained them back. I'm still at my start weight for this pregnancy.

Kyle is a champ. We're teaching him to say "baby" and touch my belly gently. I wonder how much he will understand before this little one arrives? I'm praying that my labor will be shorter this time, so that time spent away from Kyle will be minimal. I'm thankful that we're using a birth center, and will be able to return home the same day that this baby is born. I know it will make the transition much easier for him!

I feel much more exhausted this time around. I'm thankful for a 1 year old who naps well, and I'm taking advantage of those afternoon naps to sneak one in for myself. What a blessing! One I probably won't have next time around... :-)

While I'm not one to "love" pregnancy, and talk about it as the best 9 months of my life, I am trying to enjoy it for what it is. I love this baby so much already!

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Wordless Wednesday

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News :-)

Well, I’m squeaking in a blog entry for the month! My goal was to post once a week, and the past while that has NOT been happening. However, this month I have a very good (and exciting!) reason. Tim and I found out that we’re expecting another baby. :-D

The baby is due in early March, and I am currently in the throes of “all day sickness.” That’s actually what I want to write about today, because the Lord has been using my sickness to teach me about Himself.

I was sick during my pregnancy with Kyle. Really sick. But I know that every pregnancy is different, and so I went into this one with optimism and my chin held high. However, to date this pregnancy has been an exact mirror of my pregnancy with Kyle. I’ll admit that I’ve had some discouraging days along the way. I hate being sick, I hate throwing up, and I hate the look on my little boys face when I lay on the couch instead of playing on the floor. I did the math, and if this pregnancy continues to be just like Kyle’s was (hoping that won’t happen!), I will feel better around November 3’rd. Two weeks of sickness down, let’s see… thirteen weeks to go.

I love this baby. I am thankful for this baby. Tim and I have prayed for this baby. He is an answer to prayer. He is a gift from God. Truly children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward. I have employed a technique that I used during my sickness with Kyle, each time I’m “hugging the toilet” I thank God out loud for my baby. I praise Him for the little life growing inside of me, for the soul that He is entrusting to our care. I remember those of my dear friends who have prayed for a baby, and the Lord has yet to answer. How selfish it is for me to complain! I praise God for this opportunity to live out the gospel by laying down my current life for this new little one. I even (sometimes) thank God for the fact that I’m sick.  As I voice these things to the Lord, each and every time I feel my heart come back into line with my current calling. Truly, I am blessed!

I remember being impressed by a thought when I first looked into the face of my little Kyle. I suddenly realized that he was the only thing I could take with me to heaven. His soul, entrusted to Tim and I for care and upbringing, would Lord willing live with us in joy for eternity. His soul was the only thing from earth that we could take with us. As I remember that lesson now, it is as sobering today as it was then. God has called me to be a Mom. For the rest of my life that calling will impact my happiness more than any other calling I receive. It is a good calling, and one that I will praise the Lord for.

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