BIRMINGHAM

HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!

What a Big Boy

My Baby Bear is growing up sooo fast--I can't believe how much he learns and discovers every day!

A Spoonful of Sugar...

Well, a ton of brown sugar...makes anything delicious. Here is a "new" recipe. I wanted to make a meatloaf for dinner but I wasn't sure if Pat was a fan, and I, for one, am not a HUGE fan of the same old, mundane, tasteless, bland meatloaf that calls for salt, pepper, an egg and oatmeal smothered in ketchup to hide the fact that its mushy and has no flavor...NO NO NO, this is a special meatloaf. Here is the basic recipe...

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 cup saltine crumbs, finely crushed

Directions:

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. 2
   Lightly grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan.
3. 3
   Press the brown sugar in the bottom of the prepared loaf pan and spread the ketchup over the sugar.
4. 4
   In a mixing bowl, mix thoroughly all remaining ingredients and shape into a loaf.
5. 5
   Place on top of the ketchup and bake for 1 hour or until clear juices appear. 
6. 
   

I made a few "alterations and additions". I put about 1/4-1/2 an inch of brown sugar on the bottom of the pan. Instead of just ketchup, I mixed in some of 'Tony Roma's' Original Bar-B-Que sauce and covered the brown sugar with it. In the actual meat, I added some green bell peppers and celery (which I chopped up in a food processor) and also put a little bit of the Tony Roma's sauce in it, as well as a little bit of fresh garlic (only a little bit, though). 
It only took about 45 minutes to cook, so, with 15 minutes left, I put a little bit of my ketchup/bar-b-que mix on top of the meatloaf and let it finish cooking..... 
We also had sauteed spinach and fresh green beans that were boiled with salt, pepper, and BUTTER----YUMMO

OH EM GEE---Ask my hubby...it was delicious.
Try it for yourself--Add your favorite things or take out some...
One thing I LOVELOVELOVE about cooking is experimenting. When you know the foundation to a recipe--you can taylor it to whatever mood you're in....Hope you enjoy this one.

SURPRISE!!!!

I am soooo excited. My dad's birthday is October 8 and my mom's birthday was August 1...their anniversary was August 6 and we weren't able to do much for them with the move and new baby and everything else sucking up our funds...
I have the BIGGEST surprise in store for them!!! Stay tuned to find out what--It'll be the middle of October but everyone loves suspense, right?!

He Will Come...

...like a thief in the night, NO ONE knows exactly when we will rise to meet Him or when he is coming back...but it will be wuick and we better be ready!!!
This past Spring, the South went through tornadoes like we have never had before. There was so much destruction in so many places...this past year, Japan had a horrible tsunami/earthquake and many many lives were lost....there are wars and RUMORS OF WARS in the middle east...and TODAY, there was an earthquake on the EAST COAST?????!!!!! WHAT? There are never earthquakes there...Think we aren't getting closer? Think again. "This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again." (Matthew 24:21)
I know, recently, there was a lot of hooplah about the day the world would end and Christ was coming back...well, it didn't happen. As a Christian, were we really surprised? "But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows... You have no idea what day your Master will show up." (Matthew 24:36;41) hmmm...only God knows, and we have people guessing the date...and believers, born again believers, listening to them over what God has said.
We shouldn't doubt that it is coming though. Obviously we are closer and closer to it as each day passes. But I truly believe the beginning has already started...there are signs everywhere.
We are now able to use the internet, technology, airplanes, cars, boats, etc to reach more and more people all over the world. "...the good news...will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country." (Matthew 24:14)
That's my thoughts for now...There are prophecies being fulfilled everyday and I truly believe God is starting the process.
Saturday night, at church, Dr. Ed Hinson said something that really made sense and was an AH-HAH moment... "Plan as though you have your WHOLE life to live for God-Live your life as though He is coming tonight."
Who knows...He could.
"

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things...

My Baby Boy.....

I Can Show You the World...

Well, not really. But I have been trying to open Pat's eyes to the wonders of fresh foods and vegetables.
We don't have the money to go out to eat anyway, but I have started to really enjoy cooking and trying out different recipes.
This past week, Pat was on night watch-12am to 8am- so I was cooking for myself (which makes things a little easier since I am on a diet) I made a DELICIOUS salad of spinach and then baked a DELICIOUS lemon pepper chicken breast and sliced it and put it on top. Also, I made up a "recipe" for fresh asparagus. By preheating the oven to 400 degrees, laying the asparagus in a single layer in a baking dish and then sprinkling olive oil and McCormik's Lemon Pepper seasoning on it (it doesn't take much) and baking it until it is tender---SOOOOOO GOOD!

Call me a fatty, but I ended up eating the entirety of that Pyrex dish of asparagus-I figured it's a vegetable so it would be okay.
Tonight, I made a London Broil (simple enough) and a salad. I don't know if anyone has tried this but J Alexander's has an AMAZING grilled artichoke, so I thought I would try and find a recipe for one. I ended up baking it with olive oil, lemon juice, fresh garlic and sprinkled with sea salt. Though it was good, it needed J's sauce. I have one artichoke left so the next time, I am going to try grilling it and making a dipping sauce...Here are pictures from tonights dinner.

AGGGHHHH--

I am sooo bored...someone come visit and rescue me....
That is all...

What If...

As you read this, I am afraid it is going to come across wrong so let me preface it by saying I am ABSOLUTELY 100% HAPPY with where I am and with my family and 150% in love with my husband and son...but, what if...
Still, I don't know of a little girl who doesn't dream about their wedding when they grow up. About the beautiful white dress they will wear...about their daddy walking them down the aisle and giving them away...about seeing their soon to be husbands face when he sees her all in white for the first time...about the first kiss and the first dance...about the cake. Lately, I have been thinking a lot, recently, about what I missed out on...what if...
When Nick Lachey's wedding came on tv, I started crying and had to change the channel. I can't watch "Say Yes to the Dress" or even "Bridezillas" without feeling disappointed and crying a few tears. I don't know what it is. I do not regret anything because I COULD NOT imagine my life without Ryder. He is my life and I love him to death...but what if...
What If....
I believe that God works out everything for the good of those who believe in Him and He definitely has. Our "situation" has brought me closer, not only to God, but to my family. I have had to rely on Him and them more than ever as I went through my pregnancy without Pat. I think God had planned for us to get married...but our decisions led us to that marriage without a wedding...and sometimes I can't help but feel like I missed out...

Just Another Thursday

And it is a little boring around the Fry home. Pat is upstairs sleeping (he is working midnights this week-tonight is the last night:) ) I am downstairs with Ryder-lacking a shower. I've cleaned the kitchen and done a load of laundry. I'm just waiting for Ryder to let me put him down so I can unload the dishwasher and fold the laundry...It takes so much longer to accomplish things now than it use to HAHA. My first priority is Ryder and making sure he is happy and not crying, so most of the time he is sitting in my lap looking at books or in one of his activity seats, or we're on a walk.
I am so excited to start the application process for nursing school. I have to take the TEAS exam still, but I test well so I don't think that will be a problem. (My problem is memorizing science lol) Yesterday, at the AMAZING going out of business sale at Borders that Ryder and I went to, I got a practice exam book for CHEAPO! I love going out of business sales:) I've requested my transcripts and I am in the process of trying to get "proof" of my high school graduation-though I don't really understand why I need to prove that when I have my bachelor's degree---isn't a diploma required for college? Yea-I thought so.
Anyway, I'm excited. 
I'll be really excited when Pat is back to normal hours. I love being able to actually see him during the day and not just as he walks in the door and says "goodnight".
I'm off to do laundry and unload the dishwasher---who wants to come help?

There's A Lot of Fish in the Sea...

...and I won't eat a single one of them.
As I mentioned earlier, Pat and I have started eating healthier. We bought some red snapper at the grocery store. I figured that this would be a great time to start branching out and eating fish since everyone is always raving about how awesome the Omega-3's are. I researched some recipes. I wanted a simple/easy one since this would be the first time I have cooked any kind of fish before. I found one that had an orange glaze and thought it would be a great one to ease myself into eating fish. This is the recipe we used.
Orange Glazed Red Snapper

• 2 red snapper fillets, 1 pound
• 1/8 cup orange marmalade, can sub apricot if desired
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Directions:

1. Place filets on an ungreased shallow baking pan.
2. Broil 4-6" from heat for 5-6 minutes.
3. Combine marmalade, butter and mustard; spoon over filets.
4. Broil 3-4 minutes longer or til fish flakes easily with a fork. *Do not turn!
5. 4 servings.

It smelled AMAZING. I thought this was it! This was the time I was going to eat fish and actually enjoy it!
I WAS WRONG! Don't get me wrong...the recipe was great and Pat really liked it. He ate it all and is taking my half for dinner tonight at work. However, to me, it was still fish. And fish-I don't like. So...for all of you who do like Red Snapper-or any kind of fish for that matter--this is a GREAT and easy recipe that you will love...for those of you who don't like fish--this recipe doesn't make it better--it's still fish.

He Keeps Growing and Growing

Well, today was another rough day for Ryder-screaming ALL morning. I couldn't do anything to soothe or calm him. He didn't want a paci, he didn't want a bottle, he needed sleep but just couldn't do it because he felt so bad. Finally, I just laid him down and, in about 15 minutes, he passed out. I called our doctor to make an appointment to see her for the second time. While I was showering off from a spit up attack, the doctor's office called back and set up another appointment for 6:40 pm. (I was supposed to have my meeting for nursing school tonight at 6 but now I am going Wednesday at 10am).
When baby bear woke up from his nap, I had a bottle ready for him and he was happy. I thought things were getting better and his teeth weren't bothering him so much. After his bottle, I put him in his stroller and we went for a walk. He was laughing and smiling so I walked into the NEX. All hell broke lose and he screamed at the top of his lungs. I tried rubbing his gums and that seemed to help and he quieted a little bit, so I bought some infant Orajel (AMAZING by the way) and as soon as it went on his gums, he calmed down and I was able to get him back home.
At home, while waiting to get ready for his appointment, we got to Skype my Aunt Pam and Nana. Whew-he got fussy all over again. I fed him and let them watch him lay under his "Space Mat" and listen to him coo. They wanted to see him roll over but he was too tired to since he hasn't been sleeping very well at night.
A little late on, right before we left for the doctor, we got to Skype with GranJan. Everytime I can videochat with a family member, it makes it seem like they are a little bit closer and makes me a little less lonesome and homesick for all of them.
Well, we left for the doctor (after a quick dose of infant tylenol and orajel) and Ryder cried the ENTIRE way to the doctor.

 It is only about 15 minutes away but it seemed like an hour. He was happy to be out of the car but fussed as soon as we got inside the building, all the way upstairs, and while we waited in the "sick child" waiting area. When I took off his clothes to weigh him he smiled (it was BLAZING HOT so I think it felt good to be almost naked) We weighed him and he was a little bit under where he should be at a 13lbs 14 oz. When I got his diaper back on, he was dussy again. I walked with him and bounced him and nothing would calm him down. I was afraid the other baby would get upset, too, by hearing Ryder cry.
Well--we waited in our room for about 10 minutes before the doctor came in (the whole time Ryder was fussing) and AS SOON as Dr. R walked in the room, Ryder got a HUGE smile on his face and started laughing----
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?  What is this magic she possesses to quiet the unquietable?
Well-he checked out all clear. No ear infection, no red throat, no congestion...Just two tiny "teefs" that are just now appearing and "shouldn't be bothering him very much yet". (I am still going to use the orajel because it DID work to help calm him down and I do think his gums are irritating him right now.)
So the verdict of the $50 doctors appointment? a GROWTH SPURT

"All the Better To Eat You With"

Well...we figured out what is making Ryder make all the fuss. He is starting to cut teeth. EARLY....WAY EARLY!!! He has just been so upset all the time and there isn't anything we can do to calm him down. I looked in his mouth and what do you know--little baby "teefs" are coming up through his bottom gums.
I've tried to get pictures for everyone to see but Ryder is so young that he is still pushing his tongue forward and I cant get him to lift it. However, I am not giving up and will be posting pictures as soon as I can get them. (It will probably be when he is crying because that his when his mouth is open.)
Pray for us PLEASE! I don't think either of us are really prepared for teething yet--or the screaming--and Ryder isn't big enough to hold on to teething rings yet. (If you have any suggestions PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave them for me)

Dinner and a Crying Baby

Today was a rough day for my baby bear. His tummy was hurting all day and even now, at 9pm, he is crying. My poor baby would have a few minutes of smiles and laughs but he seemed to cry more than usual. He even cried while we ate. Poor baby was hungry, too. Hopefully he will be able to get a good night sleep tonight.
I started a diet yesterday that is pretty strict. My sister has done it before and saw amazing results. Pat took me and Ryder grocery shopping and got lots of healthy, fresh veggies...When we went to check out I pulled out my coupons that I absolutely love to cut out :) and...all in all...I saved $80!!!! WoooHooo I stocked my fridge with lots of veggies, chicken, some steaks for Pat, Soy milk (ya...I can't have milk on this diet so I bought soy milk and I love it).
I made a roast for Pat. I started it a little later than I should because all I had for it was carrots and the roast. Pat went and bought the rest of the ingredients for me and I began the process of .... well .... waiting :)

In the midst of my new Emeril slow cooker (THANK YOU NANA) is the following....

• 3 -4 lbs chuck roast
• 2 onions, sliced
• 12 ounces chili sauce (I use Del Monte brand)
• 1 envelope lipton dry onion soup mix
• 12 ounces dark beer (I use Guinness Draft in the can)

Directions:

1.  Put onions in bottom of crock pot.
2.  Place meat on onions.
3.  Sprinkle contents of dry onion soup mix over meat.
4.  Pour entire bottle of chili sauce over meat.
5.  Pour beer around meat.
6.  Cover crock pot and cook on high for 1 hours and then on low for 6 hours. (or cook on low for 6-8 hrs).
7.  Serve.

It was the easiest thing I have ever made and it was delicious!!! Well, I couldn't eat the potatoes or meat but I did eat the carrots and onions and they were really really good. Hubby did eat the meat and potatoes and he LOVELOVELOVE-d them:) It makes me so happy to know that he likes my cooking. I feel like a good wife. Like I am contributing something since I am not workin :). I made myself some baked chicken and ate it with a salad of fresh veggies I had just bought. All in all...I was really happy with tonights dinner. Now, I just have to clean it up haha.

It was about 8pm and Pat was READY for his dinner haha

Look at all that steam!!!

This was my dinner--it was delicious

We bought some red snapper today at the grocery store and I am going to make it tomorrow. Does anyone have any suggestions on recipes? I have never even eaten fish before, much less made it. I'll post more tomorrow.

PS- I have another meeting tomorrow with Kaplan College. It is the nursing specific meeting where we will go over EVERY STEP and will start the financial aid process and TEAS testing sign up...SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!