A Little Sunday Re-creation

Silly big guy

Totally characteristic of our crew

On your mark, get set

Go!

Stop to smell the flowers

Discussion of some matter of importance

I have to be in the picture too!

The bluffs.

And because wondering minds want to know . . .

12 weeks.

This is about noon. In the evenings for some reason, I really pop. Then I go to bed and look almost normal again in the morning. Kinda funny, I don't recall this from before. 

Anywho, we are still doing well overall. If you are one to pray, you could throw up a few for us. I think we are feeling a little burnt out. Sunday was the first day we actually took some time out to play as a family together. Aaah, so nice. We aren't in dire straights or anything but definitely feeling the burn. I, for one, feel overwhelmed daily. Yes, we have gotten so much done! And it is good to see the progress. When I open the garage door though and see all that is waiting to be moved, I get downright moody. There is still so much to do. That's when I need to count my blessings and not feel sorry for myself.

We have a bathroom floor yet to finish, some painting, and some other trim work yet to do but there's a kicker. Pray for my hubby. We had a not-so-fun discovery this evening. Remember the picture of him down in the hole? Mr. Doug was fixing a leaky basement wall/floor. He did several things to it to make it watertight. I thought for sure nothing would ever get in there. Well . . . tonight we are getting a lot of rain.  And . . . it is wet. Poor guy!  All that work. All that time. So its back to the drawing board. Bleh.

We'll be fine and a year from now it will be nothing but right now we are pooped, somewhat overwhelmed, and discouraged. Bleh. But time to count those blessings. We are super healthy, have awesome friends and family. have a beautiful home and yard, etc, etc. And look at those beautiful pics. What can beat romping around in the great outdoors?!  And GOD IS GOOD!!  All the time.

Love ya'll!! Have a great rest of the week!

Menu Plan

I'm still cooking and eating normally. Yeah!  Doug and I have been so amazed and grateful at how well I've been doing this pregnancy. My first trimester diet during my previous two pregnancies pretty much consisted of potatoes and cereal. This time around I'm cooking a decent amount and can eat pretty much anything. I've found the trick this time around is always having protein in my system, especially at bedtime. Every night I have to keep a small bowl of nuts near my bed to be able to go to sleep. Works like a charm. The real trick is keeping food in the house. These kiddos just wolf down the food so quickly. So if I plan things out a bit and keep food in the house, I'm basically good to go.

I'm hoping someone out there finds these plans helpful and I'm not just a food nerd talking to myself! Oh well, I guess there are worse things in the world than being a nerd. (Is that word even in use anymore?)

Meal #1 Kale Chickpea Feta Salad

Meal #2 Basil Chicken Orzo Soup

Meal #3 Chicken Basil (or pesto in last nights case) Pasta

Meal #4 Korean Beef and rice and broccoli

Meal #5 Taco Salad

Breakfast Ideas:
cereal, oatmeal with blueberries, pancakes, smoothies

Lunch Ideas:
-rice and beans
-hummus and veggie wraps (had these today-yum! the kids and I love this stuff. plus, I can pull stuff from the garden now! )
-black bean soup

Snacks:
-yogurt with granola (made granola tonight. yum and inexpensive and healthy!) and blueberries
-almond butter on cinnamon bread (make bread tomorrow)