More Cuteness!

Baby Proofing!

Ella is on the move....and when I say move I mean she never stops! I am beginning to think she may have Kevin's temperment...Lord help us! In our FROG (furnished room over garage- sorry but I've heard people be totally confused over that before) we have lots of Ella's toys! We also used to have a tredmill, bowflex machine and lots of our other junk. This room was like a fun house for Ella. She even figured out how to climb on the tredmill and enjoyed sitting on it. That's when I decided that we had to do some re-vamping! So gone are the work-out jungle gyms and we now have a new loveseat thanks to Joy and Chad.

We also have a bookshelf in our FROG that won't be removed. This has become ...let's say a power struggle for Ella and I. She loves to crawl and pull up on it. We don't want her to do this...it's cheap from Wal-mart and not anchored to the wall. So she'll see it and take off as fast as she can for it...and then stop and look at me and smile and laugh as I tell her "no!" She goes as fast as her little arms and legs can and pulls up. So after doing this over...and over...and over everyday. I decided to just block it with her two big toys. (see above for the cute picture of her realizing what I'd done)

SO...I'm thinking this probably isn't the best parenting move...I've been telling her no and not allowing her near the bookshelf...and now I have her toys propped up against it. Poor girl...she is probably too confused.

A Samuel Day!

Today I am having a Samuel day. I guess the only person that knows what this means is Kevin. We usually just say that and we both understand. A Samuel day is a day when I feel like I am on the verge of tears all day...a day when I feel sad...a day when I just wish I had my two kids riding happily in the back of the explorer...a day when selfishly I wish Samuel was not in heaven but at home with us. I know that if I could see him in heaven that I would for not one second want him to leave the peace and joy of heaven for this old earth..but the mommy in me misses my little boy. I am thankful to have this blog. I need a place to go to just say...today I am sad and that's okay. I hate burdening others with my grief and it's hard to explain how affected my life is by losing him to those who have never expereinced such a loss.

I just can't stop thinking about how cute he and Ella would be now playing together. We see such a resemblence of little Samuel in Ella and we wish we could see what he would look like at 2 1/2. I am going to post a few pictures of him for those of you who are curious as to who our special little guy was.

Friday

Today is Friday and I have tons of laundry and housework that I need to get started on. I always feel like I have to get my house cleaned and laundry done before the weekend. I think this is my mom's fault because she always did this when I was growing up. Ella had her 9 month check-up yesterday. She is 19lbs. 110z and 271/2 inches long. She is in the 50% for both weight and height. She has come a long way from the little peanut she started out as. She is so busy now...I mean she is everywhere and into everything. Gone are the days of her playing in one spot on the rug. She is pulling up on everything and cruising around in her crib and other furniture. She loves playing patty cake...it's so cute because if we just say "patty cake" that is her cue to begin clapping. Her latest trick is we say..."how big is Ella...so big" and she raises her hands over her head for the so big part! So cute. I also taught her how to hi five. She can do all these tricks but still refuses to wave. We wave at everything..even ourselves in the mirror everyday and still no waves. I know it will come. Well, I guess I better get to my work. For some reason being on the computer while Ella naps is so much more enjoyable than cleaning!

Happy 9 Months Ella Kate!

Nine months ago today God answered the biggest prayer request I have ever petitioned him for...another baby! Ella Kate arrived on October 8, 2007 at 1:31pm. She was 6lbs 7oz. and 19 inches long. She was the cutest little girl I had ever seen! I cannot believe how fast these 9 months have gone and how much she has grown. You always hear that God knows the desires of our heart and longs to bless us and He has shown me this once again through Ella. She is the little girl I have always dreamed of....from her red hair to her bright blue eyes! She is so funny now. She is crawling and pulling up on everything!! Her favorite toys are electical cords, outlet covers, the bookshelf, tredmill and stereo. I can't seem to keep her occupied in a room full of toys because she is so busy exploring all the hazards. I love when she wakes up from a nap and normally begins crying and I walk in and she is so happy to see me. When she is crying for me I often say "Ella do you need your mommy?".. and then I tell her "Your mommy sure needs you!" and I do!

Today!

Today is one of those days when I am wondering what the Lord has for me. I mean...I am a wife and mother..two jobs that I love and try hard at....but what else! I mean how many times can I visit Target, walk the mall, go out to lunch, or just hang out (don't get me wrong..these are some of my favorite things to do) but am I really making a difference for Christ. When all is said and done had today counted for Christ? Julie

Cooking

So I really don't cook very much! That was my New Year's resolution for this year to become a better cook! I did great until the end of Feburary! We were even having candlelight dinners...I had a menu and we were eating great! But, I am back into my old rut! I am the kind of cook that has to have a plan. I hope to oneday be able to whip a meal together...as my mom does but for now I have to have a recipe and a plan. I did have to take a meal to a couple in our S.S. class who recently had a new baby...and I made a meal I really liked and it was super easy! I thought I might share! So easy!

Southwestern Chicken Skillet

Cut up two chicken breast and put in skillet with about a Tablespoon of oil. Cover and cook about 4 min or until done. (I took the lid off and let it brown a little..I am always a little worried about under cooking my chicken)

Remove Chicken and 2 cups of water, a bag of frozen corn and a jar of salsa! Let it come to a boil.

Add two cups of Minute brown rice, stir and cover. Let the water absorb. About 5 min.

Add your chicken in and top with Mexi cheese and let it melt. I added alot!



Spanish Corn Bread (I really liked this) pg. 51 of the CBC cookbook

2C self-rising cornmeal
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp.baking soda
3 eggs
1 c. milk
1 can cream style corn
1 onion chopped
2 jalapeno peppers
1/3c. oil
(I added 1 chopped red bell pepper too!)

mix and cook on 400 until golden brown
This recipe made a lot!