Making on... Monday: Convection

Well, this weekend I made more baby food.  And while doing it, I made the biggest mess that I have since I started making the purees.  And it was a prune puree.  Quite the mess.
I made a pizza tonight with dough from Publix.  So fun to do that!  And I made it with the convection setting of my oven.  It had a great crust - soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside.  YUM!
My friend and I discovered that we have the same exact oven, as she was telling me about how she convects everything.  And I really had never used that setting - just because I was unsure how things would turn out.  But with the years of success that she has had with the setting - and oh, how easy it is - we are now convecting EVERYTHING!!  It really is easy - there is a button to convert.  All you do is punch in what type of cooking it is (baking, etc) then what the conventional temp and time are.  WHY was I not using this the whole time we have had this oven?  It cooks better and faster.  Who knew?  (guess my friend did, and glad that she shared with me!

Friday: Falling apart and back together

I'm not falling apart.  I was just having one of those days where everything seems to be breaking.  I got home from errands on Friday and the internet was out.  This happens once in a while, so it really wasn't shocking.  So I went to reboot the modem and restarted the computer.  The old "turn it off, turn it back on" fix it method.  Well, that didn't work.  So I checked the cable, since they are the same provider.  It was gone too - even the "small number" channels.  Again, not so surprising that our HD and digital channels disappear.  But for channel 20 to be gone.  That's weird.  I asked my neighbor if his internet, etc was out.  He said it was - and he was actually in the car on the way to search for some wi-fi.  He also said there was a wreck that took down some poles that knocked out power and other services.  Whoa!  So I was glad to have power at that point.
My plan had been to cue up this yoga website on the TV and do a yoga class.  But, alas, no internet.  And really, I wasn't sure what the TV was going to do either.  It was on the fritz, taking about 5-10 minutes to turn on, while buzzing and turning itself on and off.  As if to muster up the courage to turn on.  So I didn't have to really bother with it.  It was a little weird not having the internet.  It's amazing to realize how much I rely on it.  I did a few things on my phone.  But I took the opportunity during my "unplugged" afternoon to read a book.  I have all these distractions and other things that get in the way.  It was nice to have that cleared away for the afternoon, so I could curl up with some coffee and a book and just read during nap time!  I liked it so much, that I might do an "unplugged" afternoon once a week!

Oh, and the TV....
Daniel researched online about what the problem was and different ways to fix it/have it fixed.  So thinking about the pros and cons of having someone come and fix it, Daniel headed to Radio Shack and got the parts to fix it himself.  The internet and YouTube have so much information.  Our problem with the TV and how to fix it step by step.  So with soldering iron in hand, Daniel fixed the TV!!  Now it turns on - amazing - on the first try!  And no more buzzing noise.  So about 2 hours (including shopping, disassembling and soldering) and 20 bucks the TV is fixed!  WOW!!!

Thursday Three

1) I actually saw in person (as I was driving down the street) a guy get crushed by an ATV.  He was jumping up and down on it, while it was on a trailer and it flipped off, on top of him.  He got up, guess he was ok.  I never thought I'd see THAT in "real life."

2)  Despicable Me - super cute movie & really it!

3) Kettle corn popcorn.  Awesome snack! 

Wednesday Wares: Water Bobble!

I got a new water bottle - a Water Bobble - last week, of course at Target.  And I love it!  Because there is a filter inside, you can fill it up anywhere.  And the water tastes great!  It also stays closed really well and has a little cap, which makes it great for throwing in a purse or bag.  I love grabbing it on the way out the door.  It's great to have with me.  And has definitely increased my water intake.

Tales for Tuesday: Just a number

And the number that I'm thinking of... the size of clothing.  I learned at a pretty early age that the number inside the clothing really didn't matter that much.  That if you weren't a certain size, but you tried to squeeze into one that was way too small, that it really didn't look that great.  (One of my friends did this on a regular basis)  That sometimes going up a size sometimes makes you look better, even slimmer!  I know that size is just a number.  When it comes to me.

The baby is now 8 months old.  And she is wearing 9 months on the top and 6 months on the bottom.  There are some things that she can wear 6-12 months on both.  But I was thinking about it the other day...  She's small?  She's long?  She seems to be getting bigger, but then there she was one day last week wearing a 3-6 month outfit.  Huh.  It's crazy how the sizing is totally different between stores - much different than adult clothing.  And how different she is fitting in tops and bottoms.  On so many things, I have to put her in the bigger size for LENGTH.  Many of her shirts were becoming 3/4 length sleeves - and not supposed to be like that.  She's not getting "bigger" just longer!  Many people have remarked how she is getting SO BIG.  It's all arms and legs - they are everywhere!  And they are always moving!

Making on... Monday: Even more baby food

I'm finally getting faster at making baby food.  The peeling - mainly of pears and apples - still takes forever.  But I kind of know a little better about how long things are going to have to cook.  And how long to puree them.  And getting the little puree into the cubes - that's getting smoother too.  It was a big mess at first.  But I've got a technique now! 

Today I made a pumpkin/banana puree.  Well, it was a lot easier than some....  Open can of pumpkin - organic pumpkin, not pie filling :) -- then mash banana.  Then mash together.  It was a little more challenging than other stuff to get into the cubes.  It so wanted to stay on the spoon.  

The best part of this mix-up puree.  Baby LOVED it!  She was very excited to get something new, that wasn't green.  She seems to love orange!  

Thursday Three: Just for fun...

1) I used to be the crazy lady.  Now I'm the crazy lady with the baby.  At least I'm having a good time being crazy!

2) Breakfast for lunch.  Breakfast for dinner.  YUM!  Tuesday, I had breakfast 3 times - plus a bowl of cereal for a snack in the evening!  Waffles, eggs, bacon, cereal - and combinations therein!

3) My dishwasher's top rack has now been taken over by the baby - baby bowl and baby spoons!  Yea for solids!

Wednesday Words: Romans 15:13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Tales for Tuesday: Beauty

Today was the Bible study kickoff for the new semester.  And we had a speaker who has a great clothing line:   Nations Outfitters.  The way this business came about and what it represents just really spoke to me.

Recently, I have been thinking about beauty - what it means, how the world defines it and how I think about it - or at least should think about it.  I've always heard, be beautiful on the inside!  Today, I heard a great thought to kind of expand that.  You can look good on the outside (e.g. with cute clothes) but it's what you DO in those clothes that really makes the difference, that is what really defines your beauty.

So many messages are being told to us by retailers these days - and most of them are just not healthy or "moral" or just plain icky.  One of my friends recently was extremely bothered by a Victoria's Secret window display.  And after reading her blog and letter to the company (way to go!) I really did take a step back and think about what she said.  The advertising, the quality, the fit have all gone downhill from when I first started shopping there.  How did I not notice this?  I had just been so trained to think that those items were the best out there, until someone else pointed out the truth.  There are better things out there - better quality, more modesty - and I will find them.  See ya Vickys!

With a daughter that is going to be looking to me to set an example of what beauty is, I want to be sure to set a good one.  We will not be shopping in stores with racy ads or trashy clothes.  I want us both to learn to have beauty coming from the inside - that the outside can be nice, but it isn't what matters.  True beauty is in the truth that we are made in God's image.  And living for Him is how we are beautiful.

Making on... Monday: Spreadsheet edition

I made something today that would probably fall into the nerdy category - more nerd, less on the creativity.  But still I am excited about it.  I made a grid sheet for making my grocery list.  I am now getting coupon listings from southern savers, meal lists from emealz, then also buying for breakfast, lunches, snacks and baby.  Too much going on to try to make a huge list.  Even with my formerly used spreadsheet, that listed all items and estimated prices and the aisle that they are on.
But I needed something more streamlined and straightforward - and LESS organized, in a way.  My new list has columns for each general category in the store - and rows for each meal, and other times of eating (i.e. snacks).  That way I'm not just throwing stuff in the cart, thinking we need snacks, then finding that I bought way too many.  I can see what I want to get and set limits.  And hopefully this will help with the grocery bill too!

Blessing & Gratitude

Happy smiles and giggles from baby girl! She can always make us laugh! 

And we enjoyed a nice walk outside as a family this afternoon.  Simple but so fun. 

Thursday Three: The "anti-me" mommy plan

So being a mom is kind of going against my natural inclination for things.  I am having to change my ways, just a little bit.  And for the better, I think.  It's definitely making life more interesting.  So here are the new rules:

1) Always expect the opposite that should, or that you think will happen
2) Don't plan or organize anything - or do plan then see rule #1
3) And finally, sit back and enjoy - Whatever happens will happen!

Wednesday Word: "Later"

Peter Walsh - a great organizer that has been on several shows, and now has his own "OWN" show - and has written several great books - says that there are two types of clutter.  Memory Clutter and "I might need this one day" Clutter.  And those two types of clutter keep you tied either to the past or to the future.  Not living in the right now.
I am a very organized person - but not necessarily a "neat" person.  I do have those corners of various rooms, the backs of closets, drawers and piles stashed in various places.  And those piles are pretty much all "memory" and "someday" clutter.  Just like Monica on Friends, I may appear to be super organized, but I have that "locked closet" of STUFF.
I just can't seem to get rid of stuff that reminds me of _____.  Or the stuff that I might need one day, because I did use it in the past, and I wouldn't want to spend the money to buy it again.  This is the reason for my goal for the new year - getting to THOSE corners.  I just feel like they are weighing me down.  And I've wanted to get to them for a while.  I just said that I would get to them LATER.
Later...
Such a bad word.  Because, later never comes.  There's always a reason.  I'll go through this... later.  I'll throw it away... later.  Well, later is NOW!  With the baby getting bigger every day, I want those corners GONE.  I want it to be neat. To only have the stuff that I need, that I love, that I use.  Watching Peter Walsh's new show has really got that "I have to throw stuff out right now" feeling churning in my brain.  But have I picked up the trash bag yet?
No,  I was thinking about doing it later....

Tales for Tuesday: Where is the mailman?

These past two days have been very cold - and a little icy.  In some places fairly close to me, it's probably worse than it is out my front door.  We did not get the snow; we got the ice.  I grew up just a little farther north than I live now.  And those miles really make all the difference between school closings, amount of (and actually having) snow, and salt trucks instead of sand trucks.  I do agree with the voice of safety.  If you don't have to get out, then just don't risk it.  You can't see the black ice, you don't really know what's around the corner.  Best just to stay put if you can.
But even with worse weather growing up, I have never seen this much of a town, a city, a state - shut down because of weather.  The mailman hasn't come the past two days.  I thought their motto had something to do with sleet and snow and weather NOT keeping them away.  I even just looked it up on Wiki - it actually isn't their creed, but just on a post office building.  But hey, even Cliff on Cheers was proud of the motto.  But no mail here.  No UPS trucks.  No trash man either.  I was trying to think if it was some national holiday I didn't know about.  The kids in the neighborhood had to go to school today, but the mailman didn't come.  And I was trying to call a doctor's office today (just for a checkup appointment) and they were closed too.
Is there something that everyone else knows that I don't?  I did stay put, because I really didn't need to go anywhere.  But I need to tomorrow.  So I'm hoping that things are going to be back to normal soon.

Making on... Monday: Auburn letters

I made some Auburn letters that I put on a plain white onesie today - for the National Championship game.  Well, baby had to go to bed before the game got started, but she wore it today to support the team! 

And this was my first attempt at doing this kind of thing with felt.  This girl blows me out of the water with her talent!  Amazing stuff she makes!  

Year in review

I found this on another blog and it seemed like a fun way to look back on an amazing year.  

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Became a mom!  Went to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.  

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?



Well, I set some resolutions at the beginning of 2010, and I was doing pretty good with them - they included stuff like exercising at least 5 times a week, drinking more water - stuff like that.  But then life got very hectic in June, then at the end of June it changed completely.  So I just abandoned the goals I had set.  I did make more for this year!  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?



A few friends - and one very dear friend found out she was pregnant! 

4. Did anyone close to you die?



No.  Not really close to me.  But close to people that I love.  

5. What countries did you visit?



No countries - but the southwest was a completely different location for me!

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

It sounds kind of weird, but more fruits and veggies in my diet.  A jogging stroller (it's actually on its way right now).  I'd love an iPad, but they are way too expensive - if only it was less $$ - I think they are cool!

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June 28th - the day we got our little girl 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?



Something that came in during the last few weeks of the year - being able to relax, not worry and not make things a big deal!  Not all the time, but I did impress myself with my calmness when my oven stopped working just as I was starting to fix Christmas dinner.
Being a mom?  I think the transition into motherhood went pretty smoothly, especially considering the speed in which it happened.
I would say making baby food, too, but it's kind of easy to do... 

9. What was your biggest failure?

Panicking over the little stuff.  And talking it to death.  And talking.  And talking.  

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Our whole little family had a really bad bug, which included a lot of time next to the toilet and lots of laundry.  So having all three of us go through that at the same time was hard!  Oh, and my little adventure of the ruptured cyst at the ER one early morning.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

The stroller/car seat combo - we bought it the day after we found out we were getting our baby.  We looked at the selection at the store and chose and bought it in about 10 minutes.  And it has been GREAT!  Ease of use, color, very sturdy.  I have enjoyed my "impulse buy" stroller!
Best tip given:  To the bellman in Vegas - who delivered my lost luggage to the room at 10:30 pm! 

12. Who did you admire?

The ladies in my Bible study group - especially the leader.  Such an amazing woman - inspiring, REAL and Godly! 

13. Where did most of your money go?

Our summer trip - Daniel says it always costs more when we "move around"
And, well, the adoption - the last chunk of $ was the big one!  

14. What did you get really excited about?

Flying out to Vegas; then getting on the train to go up to the Grand Canyon.
And I'm pretty sure I was excited those four days, preparing for our fast-arriving baby - most of what I remember was just the shock - a good kind of shock.  It was so crazy! 

15. What song will always remind you of 2010?

"A Little Fall of Rain" - from Les Mis.  Yeah, I know it's weird.  It was the first song that popped in my head that first night I laid the baby down for bed.  I wanted to sing something, and that was the only thing I could think of.
And you will keep me safe, and you will keep me close, and rain will make the flowers grow.

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:


– happier or sadder?  Happier - my dream of motherhood has come true - AND I've learned so much about myself - how to really enjoy life!

– thinner or fatter? About the same, 

maybe a little bit more...

17. What do you wish you’d done more of?



Reading. 

18. What do you wish you’d done less of?



Worrying

19. How did you spend Christmas?



At home!  Our first Christmas since we have been married that we didn't travel.  It was so nice to have Christmas Eve and Christmas morning - our little family of three - making new memories at home.  Then to have my parents and Daniel's family over that afternoon!  We had a wonderful Christmas.

20. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Yes!  With the sweetest baby girl!

21. What was your favorite TV program?



Vampire Diaries - I thought it was just going to be a fun little show, but it's really pretty great!

22. What was the best book you read?

There isn't ONE particular book I can think of.
I read several books in a few series that I am in the middle of.  It was great to actually READ a book  - and finish it.  I had this goal of reading about 40 books for 2010.  I was on track too, until June.  Then reading just kind of stopped happening for a while.  I did read some parenting, sleep, baby food making books that were pretty good.  

23. What was your greatest musical discovery?


The Pierces - I heard a great song by them on TV and went to "get" it, thinking iTunes.  But I already had their music, given to me by a friend - it was fun to discover that I HAD it! 

RockaBye Baby! - they do some cute lullabies, our favorite being "Don't Stop Believing" 

And Laura Story - love her songs.  love the words!

24. What did you want and get?

I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, and I did.  I've really wanted to eat at one of Bobby Flay's restaurants - and we ate at Mesa Grill in Las Vegas!  And, of course, our family becoming a family of three! 

25. What did you want and not get?

This year really was a happy, content year - I can't think of anything.

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

I really didn't get out to the theater too much this year.  I did see Harry Potter 7.1 with some friends.  The movie and the socializing were both great! 

27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was off of work that day (back when I was at my job) - I went to Bible Study and had a wonderful time, then I was "volunteered" to be the preschool director for VBS.  I had prayed that I wanted to get more involved.  A gift from God!  I was just looking back on my journal from that day.  A happy day with friends and family, feeling loved, smiling and full of joy and peace! 

28. What is one thing that you want to differently next year?

Huh.  I have typed several things - basically that sum up to this:  I don't want to analyze and panic over every little thing, every little decision.  This parenting thing is going to be hard and if I spend my time trying to figure something out, she will already be onto the next thing! And I don't want to miss anything! 

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Seattle Chic

30. What kept you sane?



My husband.  Journaling.  My friends - old and new! 

32. Who did you miss?



One of my closest and oldest friends moved... even farther away.  I miss you! 

33. Who was the best new person you met?



Lots of people!  God just opened so many doors for me to meet people at my church - with VBS, and a beach trip.  I was so happy to make such good friends this year, especially during a time when I was kind of feeling alone. 

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.


I have a wise (and funny) friend, who I think should write a book about the "real" emotions of being a parent.  I got many good quotes from her this year, this one being my favorite when dealing with a problem that would otherwise send me into panic mode:

"I think this situation warrants improvement" 

I'm still working on implementing this statement.
  

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.



As we sung this in church at the first part of the year, the words really sunk into my heart - understanding and encouraging at the same time.  The first Sunday that we took our baby to church, we sung this song.  And I sang these words, remembering how I had felt and experiencing a new feeling as I sang them, holding our new baby in my arms.  

Everything by Tim Hughes

God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping

God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

Be my everything

God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting

God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything 

Thursday Three: Food

1.  I love that I have Cookie Crisp and Lucky Charms in the house at the same time!  

2.  "Smoothie" from this week - Chocolate Espresso crunch - with Ghirardelli chocolate and fresh espresso beans

3.  Caramel Latte - YUM!

Kind of breakfasty and coffee related.  My favorite meal and drink! 

Wednesday Wares: Jogging Stroller

I want to starting running - again.  I was long distance runner in high school and college, but I got away from it after I got married - with work and just a different life, as an adult I guess.  I just didn't make the time for it.  But now being a stay-at-home mom, I've got the time.  I've got the desire.  And I've got a park less than a mile from my house - with walking trails and a track that I can use.  So I started running around Christmas.  It really is a "new year's goal" - but I had the time (and the husband babysitter at home), so I just went ahead and started.  But with work getting busier and busier for my accountant husband, the baby is going to have to come with me on my runs.  Hence:  a jogging stroller.
I had been looking at them for a while, and Daniel helped me pick out one a few nights ago.  And it should be here tomorrow!  Let the running begin (well, continue...)!

Tales for Tuesday: Adoption

I was thinking about how amazing our adoption journey came together last year.  And it was all God - We really didn't do anything but follow His lead.  He had this planned for us the whole time; we just had to follow.

Really, when we starting looking into the adoption process, just weeks after deciding that our journey down the road of fertility was over, it was just to get some information.  But after going to an informational meeting, we knew almost immediately that we were going to be adopting - from China.
So we pursed that - did all the paperwork and jumping through hoops - and then the waiting began.  And then more waiting.  I started to feel this nudge.  A nudge towards domestic adoption.  Which I couldn't believe.

When we started looking into adoption, I was very adamant about NOT doing domestic.  I didn't want to take that route.  Ever.  We were at first led to China, but then things - totally out of our control and totally in God's hands - led us to another path.  An addition path.  And I'm so glad that we listened, that I changed my mind.  That God had an even bigger, greater and more amazing plan than I could have imagined.

And so now we have this amazing little girl in our home.  But we are still waiting in China.  Waiting for our first/second little girl.  We still feel a call to China - and God is working in that adoption too.  Nothing is really happening now.  We are just doing what we can - basically keeping all the paperwork up to date, so that when the time comes, we are ready.  I just feel like it's going to be out of the blue.  That we know it's coming, but that it's going to happen very quickly.  Not unlike last year.  So when is something going to happen?  God has an amazing plan - He is working on it right now.  And I can't wait to see what it is!

Making on... Monday: More baby food

I made a big trip to Whole Foods last week and have been peeling, cooking, baking, pureeing and freezing for the baby!  I have done sweet potatoes, acorn squash, and some pears (see below).  Tomorrow I will be doing apples and butternut squash (both will be new foods for the baby).  

She LOVES the pears and the acorn squash, so I think that those two new ones will be a hit too! 

Blessing & Gratitude: Joy

2010 was such a wonderful year.  So much happened - and I actually learned a lot about myself.  I was thinking about what I want for 2011.  And I think that I want to really experience JOY!  I am really happy, don't get me wrong - especially with the wonderful gift of this past year.  And there has been much sadness and longing waiting for that time to arrive.  But I know there is a difference in being happy and really having joy in your heart.
Our founding fathers based this country on the pursuit of happiness.  But I think that if you are pursuing happiness then it's just really not the lasting kind.  That might not be what they meant, really - but the wording got me to thinking.  Now the big stuff - following God's plan for your life - us pursing adoption and a family - that's not really what I'm talking about.  It's all that little stuff - the nagging stuff - that I run around, thinking about, analyzing - that's the stuff that keeping me away from being happy.  Having the "joy joy joy joy, down in my heart!"  And I think with that joy will come peace too.  The peace that passes ALL understanding.  And I think, with a baby in the house, I'm going to need that joy - because some days are just not going to be happy.  And I'm going to need some peace.  Peace... does that exist in a home with small children.  But that's what I'm thankful for.  And that's what I'm going to be pursing this year!

Systematic Saturday: Resolutions - Getting Started...

So the first part of 2011, I want to start all those projects that are sitting around, lingering, bugging me.  And today with the help of Daniel, I started digging my way out of - or really into - my workshop area of garage. There were tools, painting supplies, paint, more paint, storage containers and just junk - junk I was saving for who knows what reason...  So there was a lot that was thrown away.
I have several areas of the house that I want to attack first:
That corner of the garage was the first of many things that I'm finally going to start - and hopefully finish...soon!