Happy Birthday to...ME!

Have I ever told you that my husband's love language is GIFTS? Well, it is. I think he doesn't like that I tell people that...and I think he doesn't really believe that it's true. But, it IS TRUE!!!

So, every holiday, this wonderful man goes out and buys everything I've ever said that I like (especially if they sell it at Costco). I'm actually making him return half the stuff he bought this year...oh, don't worry...I've already figured out what OTHER things I want in place of some of them!

Anyway, I love him - not only for the gifts but also because he is so very cute...and such a caring man who desires to give me all there is to give...not just the presents, but also all the things that
come from having a husband who Loves the Lord with all his heart and Loves his family more than himself. Thank you, honey, for being with me on this ridiculous roller-coaster ride that is our Sanctification!!


We had an awesome time on Saturday night. We decided to go out alone and take advantage of a "date night", but when we got to the restaurant, our good friends, Kurtis and Lara were there. It was a wonderful and welcome treat! Thanks for partying with us, you guys! Then, Bic took me to Flemings (an up-scale restaurant in Tucson) for Martini's and Dessert! It was great fun!!!

Hey, check out the picture contrast from my birthday, last year
(one day before the birth our our little Gwendolyn)!

Yeah, It looks like I had a few too many lobsters that night!!

Yeah, and my baby was less than 6.5lbs!
(She made up for it in FURY!)

Happy Birthday, The Gwendolyn!

Nothing better calms this anxious mind
Than knowing that you are not mine

What quickly stops this all too busy body
And brings rest to your preparing mommy
Is knowing that you are not mine

These days for you, every one, have been designed
By the same Mighty One who fashioned mine

Though for a brief and blessed time
I enjoy you and, Little Gwendolyn,
I thank the Lord that you are not mine!

Happy Birthday, Baby! I'ts so fun watching you grow!

Thank you, Aunt Jenn!!

Thank you Aunt Jenn Lamb (and Abbie and Uncle Kevin!) for the beautiful shirt you sent me for my birthday!!! We all miss you guys so much!

It's so fun to get a package in the mail!

Yeah! Clothes!

I'm so pretty!

Enough Pictures, Mom!

We Love the Lambs and we thank the Lord for them!

Giveaways From a Fun Blogger

I often mention Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking because I (and so many others) find her insights encouraging, and her homemaking tips very practical.

Check out the fun giveaways Lindsay is hosting as she celebrates her second year of sharing how Jesus continues to bless her and enable her to richly bless others! Check out the first giveaway HERE!

Green Eggs for Baby

So, I've been wanting the book Super Baby Food, but my library doesn't have it and I am trying this new thing where I don't always run out and buy everything I want at all times...not as fun as it sounds.

So, I decided to come up with something of my own. Gwendolyn hated green beans and egg yolk was just too dry...but I wanted to give her both of these things. I also needed something hearty and nutritious that I could have on hand (in the freezer and fridge) for when I didn't have the time or energy to find, cook, and cut-up a good lunch for her. My Green Eggs and Quinoa is a SMASHING success!!!! I had heard about Quinoa (Keen-wa) and found mine at Costco. I'm sure this would work for other grains, such as Millet or Rice, too!

2-3 cups cooked Quinoa (Millet, Rice, etc.)
2+ cups of steamed green beans (reserve the cooking liquid!)
4 hard boiled egg yolks
Butter -or coconut oil- (to taste)
Sea Salt (to taste)

(Keep in mind...I have NO idea how to write or express a RECIPE. These amounts may or may not be good ratios...it's just how I did it and it worked for me.)

• Cook Quinoa (or other grain), set aside
• Hard Boil Eggs and separate yolks, set aside
• Steam Green Beans until tender, reserving the cooking liquid.
• Place green beans into Blender (or food processor) and add cooking liquid to make a pureed consistency.
• Add Egg Yolks to Blender. you will need to add more green bean cooking liquid to maintain the moist, pureed consistency to the green bean/egg mixture.
• Mix the Green Bean/Egg Puree into the Cooked Quinoa. add sea salt and butter to taste. I think these helped with partially disguising the strong green bean smell and taste.

I put mine into baby cubes and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Gwendolyn LOVED this little porridge and wanted a double portion. I did find that my batch seemed a little dry (probably not enough liquid in the puree) but she didn't mind and I just kept her sippy cup filled with water!

"Getting Caught Up in the Competition Game"

Human development isn't a race; it's not who gets anywhere first! Character takes seasoning and really isn't seen until we're adults. I can probably drum up hundreds of kids who rolled over onto their stomachs before all their peers-and who ended up in jail. Don't worry about other kids' progress compared to yours, and don't gloat if your kid's progress seems advanced. It doesn't matter (91).

Leman, Dr. Kevin. First Time Mom: Getting Off on the Right Foot - From Birth to First Grade. Wheaton, Tyndale: 2004