Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful to Aaron this week.  He has taken care of so many things outside.  Mowing, weeding, mulching, tilling, and best of all....PLANTING.  Our garden is done.  We have so many yummy organic veggies and fruits to eat this summer.  We did an herb garden this year too.  This is a short list as there are many more I am forgetting.  We have about 4 different types of tomatoes, 4-5 types of peppers (ie. Cayenne, poblano, red bell, habanero, green bell, etc.), cauliflower, broccoli, watermelon, and cucumber.  For herbs, we have sage, cilantro, fennel, dill, chives, thyme, rosemary, basil, and parsley.  I know I forgetting a lot.  I will go out with pen and paper to get them all.  For now, that will have to do.  I am just soooo thankful that I did not have to do it this year.  There will be more pictures to come. I got some great ones of the kids at play in the garden while Aaron was hard at work...

Take Me Back Tuesday

I had to look at the dates to know this baby.  Do you know who this is?

Allergy Season

Well, it is here...allergy season. Trevor has been hit the hardest. He is on around the clock breathing treatments, along with about five other medications. Don't worry...he is under the care of a very competent allergist. I hate that he has to put so many chemicals in his body. But, as you can see from his lovely photograph, he is absolutely miserable. I am calling again Monday morning to see if there needs to be a change in regiment. I am struggling as well. Unfortunately, I am not able to take much because of being pregnant and all. So, I am going to have to suffer through the next few months. Fingers crossed we will get some rain soon and it will wash some of this pollen away. Caleb and McKenna seemed to be somewhat spared this week. Caleb has had a few breathing difficulties, but nothing compared to his brother.

We have had a GREAT spring break this year. We have been very active and gone many places and done many things. And, although we have been aloud to sleep past 7:00, the kids have been up bright and early at 6:15-6:30 every day. I wouldn't change it for the world, though. More time to spend with them. It is going to be bittersweet sending Trevor back to school on Monday. We had such a good time going to the zoo, story times at the library, going to parks, yard sales, doing tumbling on our new tumble mats, playing cops and robbers, using play doh, creating forts with blocks, having campouts with blankets and chairs, meeting up with new friends and old ones. I think we also rode about 30 miles on our bikes...literally. I can't believe Trevor hasn't complained of his behind hurting like I have. I think we averages about 5-7 miles a night. I am going to be a little sad when he goes back. I don't know what I will do next year when he is gone all day every day. I guess I will cross that bridge when it comes. I hope you all had a wonderful spring break. We are certainly looking forward to the summer months we get to spend as a family.

Wordless Wednesday

Make it Monday...on Tuesday

Well, I figured I would put my recipe on for today since I had to post Easter pictures yesterday.  This dinner was special to me.  I have been craving fried oysters since I found out I was pregnant.  That is twelve LONG weeks.  I went to about five different grocery stores, looked on the internet to find the closest place that had them (not close, by the way), and I have been patiently waiting.  So, I walked into Kroger this week and lo and behold...there they were...raw oysters.  So, I fried them up in some peanut oil and they were so worth the wait. 

Recipe:
1/2 pound of raw oysters
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg

Dredge oysters in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs.  Next, place carefully in peanut oil that is heated to about 370 degrees.  Fry them up for 2-3 minutes on each side.

Soooooo yummy!

Forget Make it Monday

I was just so excited to get these pictures done that I could not wait to share them on here.  We had a wonderful Easter holiday this year.  We were so blessed to be able to spend it with all the cousins.  We had an awesome breakfast bar, a lovely Easter egg hunt and a perfect afternoon nap.  We are truly fortunate to have so many blessings in life.  As you can see from the pictures, the kids are having fun too.  Sorry about the frames on some and not on others. Not sure what happened during the saving process, but have been on the computer for hours tonight.  So, what is done is done.  I had frames on all of them, but for some reason they didn't all save that way. 

We are planning a fun week.  The kids started out having some bad behavior, but with a little bribery, they are back on track.  We are planning trips to the zoo, a movie (in a real theatre), a trip to COSI, a special library story time, some visits with out of town friends, and maybe dinner out too.  Not to mention that Trevor has baseball too.  Aaron is working most of the week and has been working tons of overtime.  We are so excited to spend spring break doing so many wonderful things.  We might even throw in a hike at the Nature Center.  Trevor and I have been riding our bikes a lot recently too.  In fact, I pull the trailer, he rides in front of me, and we have been averaging at least 5-6 miles a day.  I love spring...I am enjoying it while it lasts because come July and August, I am thinking my fat butt won't tolerate the heat well.  I am already starting to swell at the end of a very active day.  We will see what the next few months bring.

I hope and pray everyone had a nice and safe Easter!!

Thankful Thursday

Well, here are two very obvious reasons I am thankful.  The missing link has been a little rough these days.  Although I am still entirely thankful for him, I will be more thankful if I make it through these next six months with my sanity intact. I am also thankful that we have the next week together due to spring break.  Tomorrow, when Thankful Thursday is said and done, I will tell you all how I really feel...lol

Take Me Back...

to life before kids...

I wouldn't have any other way.

Easter Egg Hunt #1

The first of a few this year.  The kids had a great time at Trevor's first annual Easter egg hunt held by his school.  It was another nice chance for Caleb and McKenna to meet a few of Trevor's classmates. 

Fun-filled Friday

She never saw it coming...

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for many, many things in life.  But today, I am thankful that the baby has a heartbeat, a face, and tiny, tiny arms and legs. I will be more thankful when hands and feet are attached, but I am happy with the progress so far.  I have almost made it past the point of my last miscarriage.  So, another week and a half to go and I will have passed another little hurdle to be thankful for.  But, today I am thankful for arm and leg buds...:)

Wordless Wednesday

Take Me Back Tuesday

Oh the memories...

This was taken when Trevor was almost four months old.  My mom, Aaron, Trevor, Aunt Joyce and I went to Hawaii for vacation.  It was so beautiful.  I am not sure I could ever do another ten hour flight, but I am so thrilled I had the chance to go.  It is hard to believe it was five years ago.  So much of our lives has changed.  I am not sure the other passengers would appreciate it if I did decide I wanted to attempt another trip with the family.  Could you imagine being stuck in an aircraft with my three kids?  This picture is so peaceful.  I could only dream of nursing in a more serene location.  I remember this exact moment like it was yesterday. 

Trevor's Life Lessons

Trevor:  Mom...riding a scooter or my skateboard is kind of like a peanut butter sandwich.

Mom:  What do you mean, Trevor?

Trevor:  Well, the leg you push off of is the peanut butter, since it is getting the exercise and is good for you.  The jelly is like the one that stays on the deck, since it is being lazy and is not good for you.

Mom:  Wow, Trevor...that is a very smart way of thinking about it.  I like your analogy.

Trevor:  I know, I have good biology too.

Wish I could Snooze, Sunday

More of the same. Kids have been nuts and I am exhausted. Aaron has worked about 48 of the last 72 hours. I am soooo ready for my girls night on Thursday I can hardly contain myself. Such a shame that I have to be a designated driver for the next 7 months or so. I counted back and between nursing and being pregnant, I have been a designated driver for six plus years. I have only had a few months in between when I wasn't. Oh well, for the best I guess. The kids, Mimi and I went to the Museum Center this afternoon. It felt great to get out of the house. And, besides being lost in North Fairmount (one of the most dangerous parts of Cincinnati), for a half hour or so, we had a great time. My morning sickness subsided enough to enjoy myself for a few hours. When we came back, the kids rested for an hour or so and I was trying to get the house cleaned up a bit. We have had a few complaints since I have been feeling so under the weather. I guess I am not feeling much like cleaning the toilets when the room is spinning 24/7. So, I was feeling a little better and decided to give it a whirl. I heard the water running upstairs. I went up to see what was going on and found McKenna dumping baby wash all over the kid's bathroom. She dumped the entire (and new, I might add) bottle all over the bathroom floor and the hallway leading to the master bedroom. When I reached the end of her trail in our bedroom, I noticed water running in that bathroom as well. I went in and found that she had stuffed five toothbrushes, a few pairs of undies, a few shirts and God knows what else into that toilet and it was beginning to overflow. Needless to say, I was a little stressed to deal with all of this. You would be proud, though. I shut off the water, fished everything out of the potty and got it unclogged. I proceeded to clean up the rest of the mess in the rooms as well. I guess that is one way to make me clean them, huh? So, I came down to wash my hands and see what the boys were doing to find Winnie in the act of an accident on our carpet in the living room. What a day. Can I give my two weeks notice now? I give up...

Oh yeah., these were taken the other day at Veteran's Park.

Think Spring

The last few days have been dreary, rainy, and depressing. Instead of the beautiful, sunny, sixty degree weather, it has been pouring rain and nasty outside. Our backyard is one HUGE puddle of water and mud. I had kind of sort of forgotten the old "April showers brings May flowers" saying. Ugh. The kids and I all need some nicer weather again. I think being cooped up all winter and having a small taste of the weather to come has made it a little worse when the yucky stuff comes to visit. Here's hoping for more fantastic spring-like and sunny skies to come...

And here's to remembering the smiles that go along with the blue skies and mild air...

Fun Filled Friday

The weather has been so beautiful this past week. I can't remember the last time we spent so much time outdoors together. Well, I can...it was sometime last October I am sure. We have had a blast going from park to park, walking on the walking path and riding bikes. We, of course, are in the process of training the new puppy too. She is really learning fast. In fact, I ran a mile last night (pushing McKenna and Caleb in the jogger). Winnie did awesome running on the leash. When she was ready to quit, she ran up and jumped in the bottom of the stroller. It was fantastic. I can only imagine the fun times we will have this summer.

On a side note, my photography website is getting ready to launch soon. I am hoping to have it completely up and running by the beginning of spring. We are working on a few of the final details. If you know of anyone who needs one, let me know. I will be starting cheap for friends and family for the first few months. I will post the link as soon as it is up and running. Hope you all have a great weekend!

I love these pictures of McKenna running at the park.  She looks like she is getting ready to race for the cure or something.  I think we are going to sign her up for the next 5k race:)

Thankful Thursday

We are thankful for our new puppy, Winnie.  Many people think we are crazy getting a puppy since we already have three spirited children who require lots of love and attention.  I think they are right on.  However, after many visits to the pound, we fell in love with this puppy.  We visited her for a week or so, and slept on the idea for many nights.  Although she does require a lot of time and devotion, we are happy to have her in our home.  We aren't so happy when she barks at night, pees on the floor and chews up toys.  But, we are thrilled to have given her a home with lots of love.

I am also thankful to be pregnant yet again.  However, not so thankful for the horrible morning sickness that comes with the territory.  I never experienced this with any of my other pregnancies.  I think if I had felt like this, I would have had my tubes tied after McKenna.  It is debilitating at times.  I am living all things ginger to try to ease the symptoms, but it hasn't helped yet.  Living on ginger ale and saltines is getting pretty old.  But, this is a sign of a healthy pregnancy (at least this is what I am telling myself).  And, after experiencing pregnancy loss before, I am thankful for the morning sickness...I guess.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday