Just a Normal Day

Today was just a normal day for the Fry family. But, after finding out that Tripp gained his wings yesterday, I treasured every single moment that I got with Ryder.
Mommy and baby bear went to church this morning at Coastline Church. Ryder loves the child care there. Everyone is so nice. It's smaller than COTH, but people have been so nice to me and they rave over Ryder. Today was an "in between sermon"-one between two series. Next week starts the Love and Respect marriage series and I am really excited about it. This book emphasizes everything I learned in school. I also registered myself and Pat for the marriage seminar in February. I tried to explain to him that you don't have to have a marriage "in trouble" to go to a marriage seminar-it makes a good marriage even better. There are also a few things in the book I want to discuss with Pat about making sure God is our #1 priority and that our marriage is one that exhibits God's love to others.
After church, Ryder and I met with our friend, Kaye, and her baby at a mall in El Cajon. It was nice to get out with a friend and see other people haha. Daddy stayed home and had a relaxing day to himself.
Tomorrow is supposed to be Ryder's first day of daycare. What a sad day it is going to be for me. I have been torn with feelings of guilt and excitement about this next phase of my life. I know I need to be able to have an identity outside of "Ryder's mom/domestic goddess". I  want to have a job-I want to have a life and friends outside of the house-I want to get out of the house with friends every once in awhile. I am so in love with my baby boy and it makes me feel bad sometimes, but I know it's okay to want to get out sometimes. I just don't want Ryder to like the people at KinderCare better than me haha.
We still haven't heard from NACCRRA yet. Ryder will be there 3 days a week-Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. But this first week of class is a little different. When we go in and do paperwork tomorrow, I have to see if our 3 days can be Wed, Thurs, and Fri this week instead of the other days. Not only will that help with my school schedule but I am hoping to hear back from NACCRRA, too, since they are closed tomorrow.
Anyway. That is all that is really going on right now. I will let you know at the end of the week how class has gone and how tomorrow goes at KinderCare.
Treasure your families, hold them close, and give them an extra kiss tonight.

With A Heavy Heart

It's with a broken and heavy heart that I let you guys know that baby Tripp left his mommy's arms today. Though it is wonderful that he is no longer in pain and is now watching over his mommy-smiling, laughing, talking with Jesus, it is sad for those left behind, even those who never met him. I am crying writing this and watching Ryder play in front of me.

The only thing I keep thinking is ""I will rise when He calls my name. NO MORE SORROW NO MORE PAIN. I will rise on eagles wings, before my God fall on my knees..."

My Heart Aches

My heart is aching right now for a precious little boy and his mommy. Tripp Roth is suffering from a terrible, painful disease, E.B. I do not know much about it at all, nor am I claiming to. I have been following Courtney Roth's blog for a long time as she writes about the journey she has taken with Tripp as he fights a very painful battle. Tripp's skin is very fragile and he has very painful sores and blisters all over him. A single touch can be detrimental. How heartbreaking that much be for Courtney. Tripp has also had a trach in for a long time and his mommy doesn't even know what his cry sounds like, much less what it sounds like for him to say mommy.
Tripp has touched so many people's lives in his few short years on this planet, especially mine. I am finding myself sobbing right now trying to relate to Courtney and knowing I cant. Part of me doesn't want to be able to relate, to have to watch my baby suffer...and I feel guilty for that, though I know it is a human response. I hold Ryder so close to me, not wanting to let go. Hearing him fuss doesn't irritate me like it could. I am so grateful to be able to hear him fuss, cry, laugh, and babble.
Courtney has a strength and faith in God that I admire so much, though I know she is dying inside and would give anything to trade places with baby Tripp. But she knows that God has a plan for her and her sweet boy.
Her latest blog update is not a "good" one. It seems as though Tripp is starting to get tired of fighting and might not be with his mommy much longer. I cannot imagine what Courtney is feeling or thinking. Her blog says she knows that Heaven will be so much better for Tripp...No more sorrow, no more pain...but that doesn't make losing him any easier.
I am writing today to ask you to stop for a moment and send a quick prayer up for Tripp. Pray that God will give comfort to Tripp and peace. That his remaining time with his mommy and other loved family members is one that they will be able to cling to in these coming days.
If you have a moment, please read Courtney's blog and look through the pictures and even google E.B.
Courtney-You are amazing and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and that precious baby boy that you gave life to!!!!
Tripp's Story
The following pictures are from Courtney's blog and are of that sweet baby that I hope you will pray for

Love and Respect

If you haven't read this book, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs...you need to!

I read this right after I got out of the hospital when Pat was in town, right after we got married. I started again because the church I am now attending is about to start a sermon series on marriage and ending in a marriage seminar based on this book. The book explains things that when you read, you think "DUH!" When I read it, I "got it". Whether you're in a struggling marriage, "okay" marriage, or great marriage, this book can help you be even BETTER and closer to God. It points out the difference needs of men and women. (Remember the whole men are from Mars, women are from Venus thing? Ya..this explains that) Not only will you understand how to reach out to your significant other in a Godly way and strengthen your marriage and center it around God, you will learn why men are the way they are and why women are the way they are...

Check it out, read it with your spouse, do the workbook with it...(http://loveandrespect.com/store/love-and-respect-book.html)...Lemme know what you think...I love it!

White Chicken Chili

Tonight is the BIG BCS National Championship game. Bama v. LSU (again). Pat is very anxious and Ryder is standing up trying to eat his Bama hat haha.
Tonight, I made White Chili for the first time to eat during the game...WINNER WINNER WHITE CHIKEN CHILI DINNER!!!!
Ingredients
pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon oil
3-4 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2-3 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies (if you like less kick, add just one can)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2-1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

Directions:

1. Place all but last two ingredients in crockpot. (Chicken can be frozen).

2. Cook on low for 6-8hours

3. 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it and then return to crock pot. Then add sour cream and whipping cream and stir...let simmer cook remaining 30 min

4. Serve with cheese and tortilla chips

Project 365-Day 7 and Day 8

January 7, 2012

So for day 7, I took a picture of Ryder's new, 3-in-1 car seat. We had 2 infant travel systems, one Chicco and one Baby Trend. Well, we never used the Chicco one. We tried to return it to get a giftcard, but the color is "discontinued", so they wouldn't take it back. We "sold" it to some friends in Virginia who are expecting a baby girl this year...SOOO EXCITED FOR THEM... I went to Babies R Us with Ryder tonight and got him one I can use from now until he is 100 lbs in a booster...I'll keep this one in my car (YES- I FINALLY have my car and I am able to drive it!! woot woot) and Pat will keep the BabyTrend in his truck for the days when he picks Ryder up from daycare.

Well, while mommy and baby went shopping, daddy went shopping, too!!! Look what I came home to!!

January 8, 2012

Today, Ryder and I went and tried a new church. It is called Coastline Church and is in Carlsbad, CA. It is a little bit of a drive but so worth it! It is connected with ARC, a program for establishing churches that Church of the Highlands started. It is the only church that, when I walked into it, I didn't compare it to COTH. It was a lot smaller, but everyone knew everyone. Ryder did GREAT in the childcare. There were only 4 babies there and he was the only one who didn't cry. I was so proud.
These are pictures of daddy getting Ryder ready for church.

Shrimp and Grits

Ladies and gentlemen...I give you one of the most amazing shrimp and grits recipe ever. Of course it is from Paula Deen...LOVE LOVE LOVE her! When we were in Birmingham, Big T made this for us one day and I (who am not a big sea food person) LOVED it...Enjoy!

Ingredients

2   servings cooked grits
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced tasso ham
2 tablespoon diced leeks
2 tablespoon diced onion
2 tablespoon diced green peppers
20   medium to large shrimp, peeled and de-veined, with tails on
1 tablespoon white wine
1 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
green onion tops, chopped

Directions
1.Cook grits according to package directions; set aside and keep warm. 
2.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tasso and saute until crisp.
3.Add diced vegetables and saute until onions are translucent.
4.Add shrimp and saute for 30 to 45 seconds, or until pink.
5.Remove from the pan and set aside.
6.Deglaze the pan with a little white wine.
7.Slowly add the cream and let reduce until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. 
**Divide grits among 2 serving plates. Line plate edges with shrimp (10 shrimp per serving). Pour sauce over grits. Garnish with green onion tops. **