OURSTORY

Then and now.

5:06 PM


23 months and some odd days ago, our life looked like this. The man of my dreams got down on one knee under the Golden Gate and asked me to be his wife.

(Believe it or not the pose was totally candid)

Here we are today. Still remembering every moment as if it were yesterday and eagerly awaiting our boy! It's hard to believe that 1. this man asked for my hand in marriage almost 2 years ago (already!) and 2. that we are about to welcome in our first child.


We've revisited this spot several times now, taking a snapshot along the way. We also have a photo pre-wedding. One day we hope to have a lovely (and sort of cheesy) collage of our lives together throughout the years we are blessed with and whatever they may bring. This is our love story. Or at least the beginning of it.

It's been a crazy, wonderful, beautiful two years. Not to say we haven't had our own trials, but here we stand, on top of them and leaning on the Lord every step of the way to bring us through this journey together we call life.

Next up, parenthood. Wish us luck friends.

OURSTORY

Puppy love.

2:24 PM



 This little guy has stolen my heart. Oh how we love our dog. Seriously, it's a little bit ridiculous. I mean we really, really love him. But with a face like that, how can you not? Not to say we are those crazy people who cart their dog in a stroller..or a purse. But we do take a lot of pictures of him. And for good reason, he's cute! My husband however is the ultimate offender. Take a look at these lovelies. Can you tell he is enjoying his belated birthday gift (our new Canon Rebel t3i)? I've got to admit, I haven't got much of a chance to get my hands on it yet, but I've really been enjoying watching my husband do so. He is becoming quite the photographer. And lucky for you readers, I will be kind enough to share these photos. Hope you like dogs!

I'm sure in a couple weeks when our child arrives some of the lime light will be off the dog. At least you'd hope, right? ;)

For now, enjoy.





MAMASTUFF

Bump Watch: 37 weeks

7:10 PM



And now, believe it or not, we are onto 38 weeks. We've been squeezing in the last of movie days at the theater and trips to the city. Any day now Holland.  We can't wait to meet you. And clearly, you are running out of room in there.
:)

love,
your mommy

MAMASTUFF

Sleepy Sunday

12:13 PM


My due date is approaching and I am growing tired! Like first trimester tired all over again. It's a sleepy Sunday around here. Sleepy indeed we are. I didn't even make it to church this morning. :/ Rather, here I sit. Laundry is done. House is kept. No excuses to be made not to go out, but I'd rather be home.
Unfortunately however, I feel like my time with the Lord is really suffering. I pick up my bible, I doze off. I think all day about "quiet time" yet before I know it the day has passed. Don't you hate that? Why don't we just get to it, rather than think about thinking about the Lord or whatever we do. It is quite silly. Seasons like this are hard but I know it will pass. Until then, pray for diligence for me my friends. For discipline with my time.

Soon enough our Holland should be here and I'm hoping to shake these blues. I can't wait to see our boy in that cradle. And get back to some more exciting blog posts. Like our Double-duty decorating and perhaps a Wordless Wednesday. More on that later. ;)

On a side note, we have purchased our first real camera. Still working out the kinks of how to use it and all it's lovely features, but it is in our hands. We spent Friday in San Francisco with some friends and got a few pretty great shots. We are excited to share improved photos with you soon!

motherhood

Father's Day Reflections

1:30 PM



A year ago yesterday, my husband and I learned of some of the best news to date. I had the honor of telling my husband father's day morning about 6am he was going to be a dad. It was a beautiful, beautiful day. He was ecstatic. I will never forget him leaping from the bed, eyes wide-opened, going from a previously very groggy state and his repeat of the words of "no way!"


A couple hours later we headed off to church and spilled the beans to nearly everyone. We could not contain our excitement nor our joy. And well, here we are a year and a day later, still awaiting the arrival of our precious babe. Just 3 weeks to go.


That father's day we learned we would indeed be parents, but we never got to meet our first child. Twelve weeks into our journey of becoming parents our child went to be with the Lord. The greatest Father of all. The few months we had with that little babe growing inside of me indeed were precious, but our God had other plans for our child. Though hard to accept, there was great comfort knowing our child was with God. Forever.


I guess my point in all of this is to trust the Lord, with all your heart. It is said that he determines when we are to enter and leave this world. He knows us from beginning to end, inside and out. He knits us together in our mother's womb. His plans for us are perfect. For any of you in a season of frustration, hurt, whatever you may be going through, I want to encourage you do not give up. I assure you, our Lord has great plans for you. Though they may not be clear to us now, and in the moment we couldn't possibly imagine something good coming from such trial, it will come.


And if you haven't already, take a moment to reflect on God as your Father. Just what that really means, in all of his goodness. We do have the greatest Father of ALL.


"For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." James 1:3


"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry" Psalms 40:1
-The Lord as our Help and Deliverer


Happy father's day friends, a little late.





recipe

Recipe Share: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies from EAT, LIVE, RUN

10:54 AM

Photo by: Eat, Live, Run


These no-bake cookies are fabulous. Not only are they gluten-free but they take less than 10 minutes start to finish and you never even turn your oven on. I don't know about you, but we don't dare in the summer time. It is suppose to be in the high 90s today. Our oven will bake us right on out if the heat doesn't first. ;) The joys of old homes.


Another plus, these cookies are pretty darn sturdy for no-bakes. Sometimes I like to add raisins or chopped walnuts. Go for it if you dare or leave them as is. Both ways they are fabulous and sure to cure your chocolate craving.




No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
makes about 3 dozen small cookies
3 T butter
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 heaping tablespoons cocoa
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter (I like crunchy all natural peanut butter here)
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
Melt the butter on the stove. Add the sugar, cocoa and milk and stir well. Add the peanut butter and chocolate chips. Stir. Add the oats. Stir again.
With wet hands, form little balls of dough and on a wax paper lined plate or pan. Refrigerate for thirty minutes until hard.


You may browse around Eat, Live, Run's blog here.


Happy summer day friends.




Until next time.

MAMASTUFF

Bump Watch: 36 weeks!

1:57 PM



We're full-term baby! 36 weeks and counting! I sort of can't believe it, but then again I can. I'm still a happy momma, but really looking forward to seeing this guy on the outside! Nights are a bit more restless, I've been battling PUPPS (lovely, I know), and I officially *had* to wear flip flops this week not because I wanted to, but because nothing else would fit my puffy feet. But enough of that stuff, life is great and this babe is a total blessing. We really do live a beautiful life.

My lovely friend, Jessica Brianne Carpenter, stopped by this week to take some maternity shots (like the one above). We were so blessed by her for capturing memories of this precious time. And are anxious to see more of her shots!

A few more weeks and we will be parents!

RECIPES

My kind of lunch.

8:29 PM

This my friends, is my kind of lunch. Simple, easy, healthful, tasty. Who says lunch has to be boring?

Photo By: La Tartine Gourmande



Grab the recipe here. Tarragon-flavored fava bean and green pea tartine recipe.

recipe

Recipe Share: Oven-fried Salt & Vinegar Chips {They're a go)

5:02 PM

Last night we had a very simple dinner. A bacon chicken sandwich for the boy and a hummus and veggie sandwich for myself. The star was these homemade salt & vinegar chips. I'm a total sucker for salt & vinegar chips, though I almost never buy them. Seriously, I will eat them until my tongue goes raw. Gross I know, but it's the truth. So, when I came across these, I had to give them a try. And they are good my friends, very good. I think part of me is still partial to good old Lays salt & vinegar chips, but I do feel better about eating these. No preservative weirdness, no frying oils, just a few simple ingredients. Plus, because you have to do more work than open a bag, you will probably eat less of them. Or at least this was true for me. Especially if you don't have a mandolin like myself. ;)






Ingredients:
Yeild: for us, about 3 servings
Adapted from Martha Stewart and Simply Recipes


3 large russet potatoes, sliced 1/32 inch thick using a mandolin
2 1/2 cups white vinegar
non-stick cooking spray
sea salt
cracked black pepper


Method:

  1. Place potato slices into a pot and over with white vinegar.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes.  Cover and remove from heat and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 450ºF.  Grease 2 baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Drain potato slices and pat dry with paper towels.  Arrange half of the potato slices on the baking sheets.  Spray again with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle each slices with a sea salt.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until chips are golden and crisp. Note: key word, crisp. Trust me, soggy salt & vinegar chips are gross.  
  4. Allow chips to cool on a paper towel.  Repeat with second half of potato slices.  
  5. Enjoy!!

*UPDATE* Don't think you are doing yourself a favor by saving some of these for the next day. Ours got soggy after being sealed. :( Better just eat what you want day of! Unless you want to re-crisp them in the oven, but if you ask me, that's a lot of work for chips, however good they may be. ;)

OURSTORY

Life as of late {according to my cell phone pictures}

2:20 PM


Crafting. I've finished stitching up the d.i.y. onesies lovely friends decorated at Holland's shower.


Simple lunches like this one. (Pictured: Trader Joes European Style bread, melted rbi, yellow tomatoes and fresh spinach)


Farkle with friends.

Lots of walks with this guy.

A couple purchases of irresistible baby items. Now I need to focus on what we actually need.

A belly that just keeps on growing.

Packing for our little guy and his hospital stay.

Study dates with Mr. Cooper. Praise the Lord finals are over!

A little d.i.y. launder detergent/fabric softener project. (No one near us carries washing soda so I substituted soda ash, found at a local pool supply store, which may be a little less economical but works great).


Carpet cleaning!! Hurray for a clean house!

Strawberry shortcake from My Cakies for Memorial Day.

And again, a belly that keeps growing and growing, and growing...

New resteraunts. Give Umami Burger a try! Not bad, my "burger" was just a tad salty for me.

Cross stitch!

Spiffed up plain onuses with Rit dye and buttons.

A birthday celebration for Mr. Cooper with this decadent Peanut Butter Oreo Ice Cream Pieand a side of Nutter Butters. His request. My husband is now a 26 year old!

And sushi and a movie in bed to top it off.

Plus, a day in the city.

And a walk in the park.

Oh yes, and homemade healthy popsicles.

Life is good my friends.

A few things not pictured:
Will went to San Diego and then Colorado for the rugby national championship game! Unfortunately, our team lost, but he played well and we are officially 4th in the nation which isn't too shabby if you ask me.

Week 35 of this pregnancy is now among us. I cannot wait to see our little booger via ultrasound next week. I haven't seen him since 19 weeks!! And while we are on the topic, Holland has officially dropped. Yes, my bladder feels it.

My days nights of sleep are over. Restful nights are long gone. I now wake every few hours and toss and turn. This guy must be preparing me for late night feedings.

How have your weeks been filled?

 

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