Little Napping Baby

I am sitting here watching my sweet baby take a nap in his swing. I absolutely love these sweet moments when he looks so peaceful and is dreaming. He loves being cuddled up in his brown, "fluffy" blanket. He loves having his lullabies playing in the background. I love my baby sooo much.
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O-Town Bound

Ryder and mommy are going to visit Grammy and Grandpa in 1 WEEK!!! We are so excited. It was originally supposed to be a surprise, but Grammy was so sad about leaving us in Birmingham, that we had to tell her we were coming to visit. Then, Grammy surprised us and bought different flight dates so we could come earlier and extended our trip so we could have a chance to visit everyone and spend time with everyone without being stressed.
My friend from high school, that I use to dance with, also had a baby girl yesterday. I am so excited for her and her husband. Little Kailey Rose was 8lbs 1 oz (I believe) and is healthy and beautiful! Here is a picture of her:

Look how beautiful she is!!!!

I am so excited to get to O-Town and see her and get my hands on her. The last time I saw Cristina, she was still very much pregnant and Ryder was 3 weeks. Things have changed so much in the past 4 months. I can't wait for her to see how Ryder has grown and what she has to look forward to!

Ryder got in the bed with me, yesterday. I was sitting and talking to him and trying to take pictures. He looked at me and brought his finger in front of his mouth as if he was telling me to hush--TOO FUNNY

What's New Pussy Cat...

It's been awhile since I've posted something other than a recipe. Ryder has grown so much in the past month. Just ONE month! I cannot believe how alert he is now and how much he is learning every day. He has found his feet, started to roll over again (he started at about 2 1/2 months and then quit), he's swatting at things and actually grabbing at his toys (and bringing them to his mouth haha).
He is still going through the beginning of the teething process. Lots and lots of drool. I cannot keep his outfits dry and I am constantly changing his bibs. He also always has his hands in his mouth, chewing on them. Of all the teething rings/toys we have bought him, he would still rather have his hand.
We recently cut his hair. It was getting so long and the top half of his hair was that black/dark brown color and the bottom was blonde. (It was like the hair of the teenagers ten years ago who had the blonde on top and black underneath-o so natural-but in reverse) Now, he has the cutest little cut ( thanks to hubby) and his hair is blonde!!! Everyone was so surprised when two blonde parents gave birth to a BLACK headed baby. Well, ladies and gentlemen, my baby is definitely his mommy's baby. When I was born, I had black hair, too. At about 3 months, mine fell out and began coming back in blonde. That is EXACTLY what happened to Ryder...

My mom holding me in 1987

Me holding Ryder in 2011.

Tell me he doesn't look like me. haha. That little boy in the picture right above this is so much smaller than the baby that is sleeping in his swing right now. 

Here are some pictures of late. I can't believe how much bigger he is. He is in the 75 percentile in every measurement. At his last doctor appointment, on the 8th of this month, he weighed 15 lbs and was 25.5 inches long. That is a little under double his birth weight and 5.5 inches longer than his birth length.

Get back your pre-baby body...

Click on the link for this free give away

Knit Knacks Giveaway Day 21

Noi's Custom Wall Decor & More!!! SOOOO Cute...go check it out

http://knitknackseptember.blogspot.com/2011/09/september-21-nois-custom-wall-decor-and.html#comment-form

Shepherd's Pie

YUMMMMMOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Shepherd's Pie

5 large potatoes

1/2 an onion-chopped

1/2 c shredded cheddar (I used 1 c)

6 oz frozen peas and carrots-thawed

1lb ground beef

1 T olive oil

2 T Ketchup

2 T Worcestershire sauce

2 T flour

3/4c beef broth (or water)

salt and pepper to taste

-use potatoes to make mashed potatoes (mixing butter, salt, cream or milk, and pepper)

-cook peas/carrots until tender

-preheat oven to 375 degrees

-saute chopped onion in olive oil

-add beef to onion and cook through-drain the fat

-put beef and onion mix back in pan and add 2T flour and stir

-add ketchup, Worcestershire, and broth (or water) and bring the mixture to a boil

-turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes

-grease baking dish

-layer ground beef and onions on the bottom of the baking dish. Follow by peas and carrots and end with the last layer of mashed potatoes.

-Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top

-bake 25-30 minutes

TEAS and Taco Night

Don't get too excited...it's "Taco Hell" not homemade. But I am tired today and feeling a little nauseous so I don't want to have to cook and then clean up afterwards. Don't judge me;)
I took the TEAS nursing entrance exam on Saturday morning. I passed...YAY...Now it is time to wait. The official deadline is November 5th, so I won't hear anything until closer to the end of that week. AGH...a month and a half away. When I find out if I pass, let's not be too cocky...IF I pass... I have a lot of work to do. Not only do I have to find a day care for Ryder, but I also have to get certified in CPR by the AHA, get a background check, take a drug test, get a physical, AND get my shots all up to date. I am so excited. I am praying I get accepted. If you feel like taking a quick moment and sending a little prayer up to God, I would really appreciate it.
Stay tuned and I'll let you know how all of this goes.

Knit Knack's Giveaway!!!

http://knitknackseptember.blogspot.com/2011/09/sept-19-melissa-duell-photography.html#comment-form

Go here and read how to enter. It's so easy!

MY GOD LOVES ME

"Oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead..."
This morning, I watched Church of the Highlands online and one of the worship songs had this line in it. It is one of my favorites. My Jesus, my precious Savior, came from Heaven to be a man and died to save me from the sin that is in me. Now, when God looks down on me, He sees Jesus. I am made perfect through Him. Because of His love, I long to be more like Him, to have His love shine through me to others. I can now truly live in the freedom He has given me. I don't have to hold on to any of my baggage, any mistake, any shame, any regret. I can let it go. I can live and be happy where I am because He loves me and has brought me to this amazing place with my family. He has made everything good because He loves me.
MY GOD LOVES ME. He sent his Son to die for me. His ONLY Son. I am not sure I could let Ryder go. I KNOW I couldn't SEND Ryder to do that. I am forever thankful for that sacrifice. For the pain and suffering that Jesus went through so that I could have the chance to live eternally with Him.
My goal is to live each day for Christ...to live everyday so that people may have a glimpse of Christ's love through my actions...

An Oreo Treat

What's better than a homemade chocolate chip cookie? What's better than an Oreo? AN OREO STUFFED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE!
Recently, I've really got into the homemaker role. I love to cook, bake, and use my crock pot. So, I've decided to share those recipes with you as I try them out.

1c softened butter
3/4c light brown sugar
1 c granulated sugar (I use granulated Splenda)
2 large eggs
1 T pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 c flour
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
10 oz chocolate chips
1 pkg Double Stuffed Oreos


-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-cream butter and sugars together until well combined
-add eggs and vanilla
-In seperate bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda.
-slowly add flour mixture to sugar mixture, making sure it is well incorporated before adding more.
-Using a cookie scoop, for cookie dough balls.
-place an oreo in between two dough balls and seal it.
-place on parchment paper on a cookie sheet
-Bake for 13 minutes

HOW EASY IS THAT! I'm sure it would be easier to use a pre-made cookie dough, but it just isn't as fulfilling. I love knowing that I made every single bit of what ever it is I am cooking. And I love knowing my husband loves it, too....Awww, I love being a stay at home mom:)

The Best Chicken N Dumplins Ever

I made this for Pat two nights ago and it was probably some of the BEST and easiest chicken and dumplings I've ever had--yes...better than Cracker Barrel. And it is another no mess, no fuss, no touch, crock pot dinner...What could be better?

Chicken and Dumplings
4 boneless/skinless chicken breast
2 T butter (we used 4T)
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1 onion-diced
4 Grands Flaky Biscuits


-Place chicken in Crock pot
-Add butter, cream of chicken soup, broth, and onion (season with salt and pepper)
-Cook on high 4-6 hours
-Cut biscuits into 9 pieces and add 30 minutes before serving


**throughout the cooking time, I kept adding a 'Beer Can Chicken' seasoning that add a little extra flavor to the dinner...I highly recommend doing that**

I served it with sauteed spinach, salad, and brown rice. It was reasonably healthy and we have left overs for later:)

No Mess, No Fuss, No Touch Dinner

I love my crock pot...FYI:)
Chicken Taco Chili


1 onion-chopped
1-16 oz can black beans -drained
1- 16oz can kidney beans-drained
small can of green chilis
1-8oz can tomato sauce
10 oz package frozen corn
28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning (can use 1 1/2)
1T cumin
1T chili powder (I used a lot because we like spice)
3 boneless/skinless chicken breast


1. Combine all ingredients in crock pot
2. Place chicken on top (place it in frozen)
3. Cook on high for 6 hours OR low for 10 hours
4. 30 minutes before serving, remove and shred chicken with 2 forks and then stir back in to mixture.

Pat and I loved this! And we had enough left over to freeze to have later--2 servings (for the both of us) worth

"102 Minutes that Changed America"

Yesterday, Lifetime (and all of it's affiliated channels) aired a program documenting the events of 9/11. I didn't get to watch it yesterday, but we recorded it. Today, while Ryder took an especially long nap, I watched it. I haven't finished it because I couldn't. I was in 9th grade and remember sitting in Spanish class when everything began.
I didn't think I would get so emotional...but I did. Watching the smoke billowing out of the towers was absolutely horrible. I kept thinking about how horrifying it was for those poor people trapped inside. I listened to the emergency dispatchers talking to people over the phone, telling them NOT to evacuate. I can only imagine their frustration, their horror in what was going on. Knowing now, what they didn't know, what NOBODY knew, I want to go back in time and evacuate the entire buildings 30 minutes before the first plane hit. I want to tell the people on all 3 planes NOT to get on. I want to take those men and shake them, HARD. I have so much anger and I was not directly affected by them. I didn't know anyone on the flights or in the planes but this is my country, this is my home. They took something from us. They took security and safety. They took innocent lives...we can't get that back.
I had to change the channel right after they showed the explosion of the second plane hitting Tower 1. Even though I know the ending of the story, I couldn't handle it. What really sent me over was watching the people jumping out of the buildings and falling through the air. I cannot begin to imagine their desperation. How bad it must have been where they were to decide that a fall like that - the anticipation, pain, fear of the fall- was better than what they were going through. And it wasn't just one person...I guess we'll never know how many there were.
I've been thinking about what I would do and how I would feel. And it TERRIFIES me. What about my family? My friends?
I know God has a handle on everything, and, even though we feel like things are out of control, He has won the war against evil, we just have to wait until He comes back.
Still, my heart breaks and tears are falling.

Cookies and SOY Milk

All last week, since I have been back from Birmingham, I've been searching for recipes and writing them in a spiral notebook. Pat and I sat down, picked out 7 meals for dinners this week and 1 treat for him to spread out and take to work or eat for dessert. He picked a chocolate-oatmeal-toffee cookie (the original recipe calls for nuts and dried cherries but Pat didn't want those-I recommend putting them in) They were absolutely delicious and they only took 10 minutes to bake! (Prep time was about 10 minutes, too)
I've been drinking more soy milk lately (gotta support the family farming haha) It is absolutely delicious-the vanilla one not the plain-Pat won't drink it because it looks funny. Well, it was DELCIOSO with the cookies.
Anyway, here is the recipe for the cookies (the original one. You can play with it however you want)
Oatmeal Cookies with Toffee, Dried Cherries, and Nuts
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 c butter (room temperature)
3/4 c granulated sugar
3/4 c light brown sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla extract
1 1/2 c oatmeal
1 c dried cherries
1 c milk chocolate chips
1 c toffee pieces
OPTIONAL ITEMS TO ADD
1/2 c coconut
1 c walnuts


1. Preheat to 350 degrees.
2. Sift together flour and baking soda.
3. Cream butter and sugars on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add egg and mix on high until completely incorporated.
5. Add vanilla.
6. Add flour mix a little at a time, being sure to completely mix before adding each time on a low speed.
7.Mix in oatmeal, toffee, chocolate chips, etc
8.Use an ice cream scoop and place balls on greased cookie sheet.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes

When The Lights Go Out In The City

So our power went out and I recently got a new camera...so here is a glimpse into our afternoon (about 102 pictures haha...I hope you enjoy them)