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Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Menu
This weeks menu so good that I had to post about it!
Monday-Chipotle Honey Tangerine Glazed Chicken
Tuesday- Ate out
Wednesday-Nacho Ordinary Taco Salad with Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing
Thursday-Garlic, Lemon, and Herb Rubbed Chicken, with Grilled Flat Bread
Friday-Grilled Apple Brined Pork Chops, with Onion Straws, & Sweetie Pies
Saturday-Fried Chicken Rollups, with Guacamole
Seriously good food! If you want the recipes, comment and I'll email whichever one you want. I know they sound like a lot of work, but as long as you have an orange squeezer, it takes hardly any time for these meals. Chop and throw in baggies. I've been preparing them right after breakfast every morning so that all I have to do is pull them out of the fridge, and grill or fry. Truthfully the kids did most of the prep work! Alexis squeezed tangerines, Ty chopped all the herbs with my Pampered Chef chopper, Gabriel stirred everything and held the bags open for the food to be put in. Addie threw all our garbage away for us. It's been fun letting them do so much. So, I'm not lying about how easy these are! As long as you have a kid that can read, they can make at least 3 of these meals...with supervision of course. :) Plus they feel great for being allowed to do such "grown up" things! It's been a great week....
Monday-Chipotle Honey Tangerine Glazed Chicken
Tuesday- Ate out
Wednesday-Nacho Ordinary Taco Salad with Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing
Thursday-Garlic, Lemon, and Herb Rubbed Chicken, with Grilled Flat Bread
Friday-Grilled Apple Brined Pork Chops, with Onion Straws, & Sweetie Pies
Saturday-Fried Chicken Rollups, with Guacamole
Seriously good food! If you want the recipes, comment and I'll email whichever one you want. I know they sound like a lot of work, but as long as you have an orange squeezer, it takes hardly any time for these meals. Chop and throw in baggies. I've been preparing them right after breakfast every morning so that all I have to do is pull them out of the fridge, and grill or fry. Truthfully the kids did most of the prep work! Alexis squeezed tangerines, Ty chopped all the herbs with my Pampered Chef chopper, Gabriel stirred everything and held the bags open for the food to be put in. Addie threw all our garbage away for us. It's been fun letting them do so much. So, I'm not lying about how easy these are! As long as you have a kid that can read, they can make at least 3 of these meals...with supervision of course. :) Plus they feel great for being allowed to do such "grown up" things! It's been a great week....
Friday, December 4, 2009
Happy Anniversary to Us!
Yes, 10 years today Bob and I got hitched! I came up with a little jingle/song to go along with the 12 days of Christmas, that pretty much sums up the last 10 years together (so think that tune!)
*10 yrs of Marriage
*9 yrs of Diapers
*8 Vacations
*7 Seat filled Suburban
*6 Pregnancies
*5 Precious Children
*4 Soccer injuries
*3 different Houses
*2 Wedding Rings
.....all from one Wedding Day!
I know, I know, lay off the Christmas music. I couldn't sleep last night, all because I was excited about the possibility that we were going to the Skamania Lodge for dinner, and to stay the night. My mind is dangerous at that time of night! Little things excite me I know, but hey how often do we get to get out alone(well partially alone, Miss Shelby gets to go along for the ride)?
The Lord has continually blessed our lives, marriage, and children. We aren't deserving of any of it, and yet, He still gives. What a lesson we can all learn from how God treats us! I'm thankful for all our trials, they have shaped us into the people we are today, still broken, but not as much as before. I'm thankful for all the blessings, they have allowed us to see how truly forgiving God is. Christ has been the center of our marriage, and that is what allows us to grow closer, fonder, and more loving with each other year after year. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of times that our sinful selves rear their ugly heads, but thankfully we forgive, and grow from that experience.
The key for us is to always remember our relationship is more important than anyone else, after Christ. Yes, that includes our children, parents, and friends. If we become separated from the "one" that we are, than everyone in our lives suffers. Your children will see how a marriage should work, that your house is a happy home full of love for each other, that then pours out onto them. Remember to take time daily, or as often as you can, to be together alone. Have the kids read a book, or play outside, so you can stay connected to your husband. It gives you time to talk about your day, future ideas, or just to catch up if you've been busy.
I pray that you all will enjoy a marriage as ours has been for us. I know it will be different than ours, but enjoy it just the same!
*10 yrs of Marriage
*9 yrs of Diapers
*8 Vacations
*7 Seat filled Suburban
*6 Pregnancies
*5 Precious Children
*4 Soccer injuries
*3 different Houses
*2 Wedding Rings
.....all from one Wedding Day!
I know, I know, lay off the Christmas music. I couldn't sleep last night, all because I was excited about the possibility that we were going to the Skamania Lodge for dinner, and to stay the night. My mind is dangerous at that time of night! Little things excite me I know, but hey how often do we get to get out alone(well partially alone, Miss Shelby gets to go along for the ride)?
The Lord has continually blessed our lives, marriage, and children. We aren't deserving of any of it, and yet, He still gives. What a lesson we can all learn from how God treats us! I'm thankful for all our trials, they have shaped us into the people we are today, still broken, but not as much as before. I'm thankful for all the blessings, they have allowed us to see how truly forgiving God is. Christ has been the center of our marriage, and that is what allows us to grow closer, fonder, and more loving with each other year after year. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of times that our sinful selves rear their ugly heads, but thankfully we forgive, and grow from that experience.
The key for us is to always remember our relationship is more important than anyone else, after Christ. Yes, that includes our children, parents, and friends. If we become separated from the "one" that we are, than everyone in our lives suffers. Your children will see how a marriage should work, that your house is a happy home full of love for each other, that then pours out onto them. Remember to take time daily, or as often as you can, to be together alone. Have the kids read a book, or play outside, so you can stay connected to your husband. It gives you time to talk about your day, future ideas, or just to catch up if you've been busy.
I pray that you all will enjoy a marriage as ours has been for us. I know it will be different than ours, but enjoy it just the same!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Baby Shelby Brooke
The start of our adventure! Bob's face says it all...the way he looks, is exactly how I felt about getting induced:) I went to the doctors at 3:30pm on August 20, and they told me "we are going to have a baby by tomorrow!", to which I said "what?". My blood pressure was too high, so they thought it best to induce me. Talk about scary! When you want a natural drug free labor, and you hear pitocin, you cringe. Or, at least I did...so anyways, I called Bob and told him to get home because we have to get to the hospital by 7pm. We went home threw baby things into a bag, a few things for Bob and I, and headed out.
Here we are as a family before they started my "labor" process. Gabriel not to thrilled with the picture taking! 
Show all Labors so fun! lol
The room was really hot. The temperature wouldn't come down from 72 degrees. They came in and rigged it to stay at 65 degrees, and then we froze the rest of our stay there:)
Here is a lovely picture of me on the birthing ball during I think the last contraction before I started pushing. Let me tell you, I almost gave up! Thankfully I got to push right after this. It must have been around 2:30am or so.
Cindy and Alexis waiting patiently. Alexis made it until 2am and then crashed.
Bob trying to wake Alexis up for the birth...didn't have much luck. He left her alone, and low and behold, she appeared at the top of my bed while I was pushing! 
Shelby's arrival August 21, 2009, at 2:46am, all gooey. I think I pushed three, maybe four times. 
The nicu nurses checking her out, and sucking out all the meconium from her lungs.
Look at her skinny little body! She weighed in at 5 lbs 5oz, measuring 18 3/4 inches. 
Alexis and Daddy checking out Shelby.
Mom and Alexis meeting her.
Shelby getting her eye drops.
Her first bath.
A good look at miss Shelby.
The "new" family photo. Gabriel is such a proud brother!
But, this is really how our family looks! lol
Getting ready to leave the hospital.
It worked out well that we stayed for three nights. Alexis stayed the first to watch the birth, then Gabriel got to stay the second night, then Ty the third. They did really well, and talked Daddy into all the good treats in the cafeteria! I think they all came back with giant cookies, and grape juice. Overall, something that seemed so scary and dangerous, turned out to be a blessing. God knows the time and place for everything...we just need to trust that he does! Bob was home in time, I was able to have my natural drug free delivery, and Shelby is healthy, and the best nurser I've had! That in itself is a blessing! So, we are now a family of 7, who would have imagined.... :)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Meatball Sub Sandwiches
The Meatball Sub Sandwiches we made for dinner were so good, that I had to share! Now I didn't measure anything (I know you who love exact measurements are going to hate this, but guess on your tastes!).
Ingredients:
Meatballs:
2 lbs of hamburger meat
1 onion, diced
10 cloves garlic (about a handful), diced
salt
pepper
grated parmesan cheese (about a handful)
Italian seasoning (I used the Pampered Chef bottle that I had in the cupboard)
bread crumbs (about a handful)
olive oil for frying
*usually I'd put an egg or two in to keep it together, but I forgot when I was making them, and they turned out fine. I really should write down the recipe so I don't forget to put things in!
jar of spaghetti sauce
6 kaiser rolls mozzerella cheese
baking sheet
Directions:
1. Smash all the meatball ingredients into a pulp (or just until you think it's mixed in well).
2. Roll into whatever size meatballs you desire.
3. Heat skillet or pan on medium heat with the olive oil.
4. Cook the meatballs in batches. I like mine to be crispy, so just cook it until your liking.
5. Heat the spaghetti sauce in a sauce pan, and as the meatballs are finished put them on paper towels to remove the oil, then add to the sauce. Cover with a lid.
6. Heat oven to 450 degrees.
7. Cut kaiser rolls down the center (don't cut them all the way through, or you'll have meatballs in your lap!).
8. Add meatballs and sauce to the kaiser roll. As many meatballs as you want!
9. Add mozzerella cheese to the top.
10. Put on cookie sheet and place in oven for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. (you can broil these, but I always burn them because I forget to check them. I know you see a pattern, I forget a lot!) Broiling them does make them nice and crunchy on top!
11. Eat!
Ingredients:
Meatballs:
2 lbs of hamburger meat
1 onion, diced
10 cloves garlic (about a handful), diced
salt
pepper
grated parmesan cheese (about a handful)
Italian seasoning (I used the Pampered Chef bottle that I had in the cupboard)
bread crumbs (about a handful)
olive oil for frying
*usually I'd put an egg or two in to keep it together, but I forgot when I was making them, and they turned out fine. I really should write down the recipe so I don't forget to put things in!
jar of spaghetti sauce
6 kaiser rolls mozzerella cheese
baking sheet
Directions:
1. Smash all the meatball ingredients into a pulp (or just until you think it's mixed in well).
2. Roll into whatever size meatballs you desire.
3. Heat skillet or pan on medium heat with the olive oil.
4. Cook the meatballs in batches. I like mine to be crispy, so just cook it until your liking.
5. Heat the spaghetti sauce in a sauce pan, and as the meatballs are finished put them on paper towels to remove the oil, then add to the sauce. Cover with a lid.
6. Heat oven to 450 degrees.
7. Cut kaiser rolls down the center (don't cut them all the way through, or you'll have meatballs in your lap!).
8. Add meatballs and sauce to the kaiser roll. As many meatballs as you want!
9. Add mozzerella cheese to the top.
10. Put on cookie sheet and place in oven for about 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. (you can broil these, but I always burn them because I forget to check them. I know you see a pattern, I forget a lot!) Broiling them does make them nice and crunchy on top!
11. Eat!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Freezer Manicotti
I have been toying with all these freezer recipes from "Fix, Freeze, Feast", and most I've tried have been really good. Tonight we tried the Manicotti. For our family of 6, I split this recipe in half. It left us with some leftovers for lunch tomorrow, which I like!
Manicotti
makes 4 entrees, 4 servings each
1 (48oz) container cottage cheese (6 cups) (I used ricotta)
2 eggs, lightly beaten 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 12 oz)
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (I used grated)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 (8oz) boxes manicotti (12-14 shells in each box), uncooked 12 cups
Basic Red Sauce (recipe below)
Four 8 inch square baking dishes (I used a 9x13 pan for my half recipe)
Plastic Wrap
Aluminum Foil
1. Mix cottage cheese (or ricotta), eggs, mozzarella, parmesan, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. With your fingers or a spoon, stuff filling into manicotti shells.
2. Spread 1/2 cup sauce in the bottom of each baking dish. Place six or seven manicotti in each dish. Divide remaining red sauce evenly over the four dishes of manicotti. Wrap each dish entirely in plastic wrap.
3. Top with foil, label, and freeze.
To cook one entree:
1. Thaw one entree in the fridge or bake it straight from the freezer.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Remove plastic wrap and foil from baking dish and replace foil. Bake for 45 min. if thawed, 1 hour if frozen (frozen, mine took 2 hours with the 9x13 pan). Remove foil and continue baking the noodles until tender.
Basic Red Sauce: Small Batch
makes about 10 cups (leftover, I had one 1 quart bag to freeze)
1 (12oz) can tomato paste
2 cups hot water
2 Tbsp dried parsley
2 Tbsp minced onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp sugar (I used raw cane sugar)
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1 (28oz) can tomato sauce
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
Several 1 quart freezer bags
1. Mix tomato paste and hot water in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in parsley, onion, garlic, sugar, salt, basil, oregano, and thyme.
2. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes; mix well. Do not cook.
3. Measure sauce into appropriate portions for immediate use. Divide remaining sauce evenly among 1 quart freezer bags for later use.
4. Seal and label each bag with the amount of sauce inside. Freeze.
To Enjoy:
1. Completely thaw one bag in the fridge.
2. Use in a recipe calling for tomato sauce, or simmer in a saucepan over med-low heat for 20 min. and pour over your favorite pasta.
3. To use in a meat sauce, brown and drain 1 lb lean ground beef for every 8 cups of sauce; add cooked beef to sauve and gently reheat.
Manicotti
makes 4 entrees, 4 servings each
1 (48oz) container cottage cheese (6 cups) (I used ricotta)
2 eggs, lightly beaten 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 12 oz)
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (I used grated)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 (8oz) boxes manicotti (12-14 shells in each box), uncooked 12 cups
Basic Red Sauce (recipe below)
Four 8 inch square baking dishes (I used a 9x13 pan for my half recipe)
Plastic Wrap
Aluminum Foil
1. Mix cottage cheese (or ricotta), eggs, mozzarella, parmesan, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. With your fingers or a spoon, stuff filling into manicotti shells.
2. Spread 1/2 cup sauce in the bottom of each baking dish. Place six or seven manicotti in each dish. Divide remaining red sauce evenly over the four dishes of manicotti. Wrap each dish entirely in plastic wrap.
3. Top with foil, label, and freeze.
To cook one entree:
1. Thaw one entree in the fridge or bake it straight from the freezer.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Remove plastic wrap and foil from baking dish and replace foil. Bake for 45 min. if thawed, 1 hour if frozen (frozen, mine took 2 hours with the 9x13 pan). Remove foil and continue baking the noodles until tender.
Basic Red Sauce: Small Batch
makes about 10 cups (leftover, I had one 1 quart bag to freeze)
1 (12oz) can tomato paste
2 cups hot water
2 Tbsp dried parsley
2 Tbsp minced onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp sugar (I used raw cane sugar)
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1 (28oz) can tomato sauce
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
Several 1 quart freezer bags
1. Mix tomato paste and hot water in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in parsley, onion, garlic, sugar, salt, basil, oregano, and thyme.
2. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes; mix well. Do not cook.
3. Measure sauce into appropriate portions for immediate use. Divide remaining sauce evenly among 1 quart freezer bags for later use.
4. Seal and label each bag with the amount of sauce inside. Freeze.
To Enjoy:
1. Completely thaw one bag in the fridge.
2. Use in a recipe calling for tomato sauce, or simmer in a saucepan over med-low heat for 20 min. and pour over your favorite pasta.
3. To use in a meat sauce, brown and drain 1 lb lean ground beef for every 8 cups of sauce; add cooked beef to sauve and gently reheat.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Great Website!
Hey There,
I just stumbled across this fantastic website for those of you who are wanting to teach your little ones Bible verses, and songs. It's called Seeds Family Worship. They have printable verse cards, and a check list for the verses that have been memorized. I'm going to try and laminate the verse cards so they can be used over and over again without being destroyed!
58 memory verses are on the check list, so that's a little more than one verse a week for a whole year! The best part of this website is that they have songs that go with each verse to help them memorize. Well, actually the best part for an adult is that the songs are actually enjoyable to listen to! They have a fun modern sound, and all the words in the song are the verse itself. Alexis loves it, and runs around singing it all day! Most days, I leave it playing on the computer while we do chores, or school, just for a nice background noise. :)
Check it out at www.seedsfamilyworship.net you'll be glad you did! Heather
I just stumbled across this fantastic website for those of you who are wanting to teach your little ones Bible verses, and songs. It's called Seeds Family Worship. They have printable verse cards, and a check list for the verses that have been memorized. I'm going to try and laminate the verse cards so they can be used over and over again without being destroyed!
58 memory verses are on the check list, so that's a little more than one verse a week for a whole year! The best part of this website is that they have songs that go with each verse to help them memorize. Well, actually the best part for an adult is that the songs are actually enjoyable to listen to! They have a fun modern sound, and all the words in the song are the verse itself. Alexis loves it, and runs around singing it all day! Most days, I leave it playing on the computer while we do chores, or school, just for a nice background noise. :)
Check it out at www.seedsfamilyworship.net you'll be glad you did! Heather
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Camping
The Boys are ready to go!
Sunday, we got the wild idea to take the kids fishing/camping out on the island at Swift Lake. Bob's dad drove us out to it with the boat, and we fished and ate! Luckily, Alexis, Ty, and Gabe all caught a fish by the end of the night. 
Ty's big catch! He reeled it in all by himself. :)
Alexis' big catch! This was a second attempt at a fish. The first one got away...
Gabriel's night fish. He caught the biggest one! 14 inches long, but he wasn't very happy about getting the picture taken. :)
Ty, Alexis, Daddy, Gabe, and Grandpa with their catches.
Alexis and Addison goofing off Monday morning. Maybe the Fruit Loops make you "fruity?"
Grandpa, Gabriel, and Daddy fishing for more trout.
Our camp site on the island. Grandma is hanging out with Addie while we moved out by the logs for better luck.
Mommy and Addie...her trademark smile!
One last look at our island on the way back to the docks.
Zoo with Nana & Papa
Welcome to the Oregon Zoo!
Kids playing on all the animals
Friday the kids got to go to the Oregon Zoo with Nana & Papa! It was a beautiful day for a "field trip."
Bald Eagle
Gabriel, Ty, Nana, and Addie
New baby elephant that they got to watch feed with the mommy!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Job
Good Morning All!
We are asking everyone to be praying for Bob's job. Either that there will be enough work to keep him working, or that the Lord would provide a new stable job. We are doing fine as of now, but it seem to be declining at an extremely rapid pace. Pray for peace about this situation, and provision!
We are asking everyone to be praying for Bob's job. Either that there will be enough work to keep him working, or that the Lord would provide a new stable job. We are doing fine as of now, but it seem to be declining at an extremely rapid pace. Pray for peace about this situation, and provision!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Ty's Party Pictures
Sorry, I can't get the picture to flip! Yes, it's a 5 and 1 candle...I forgot to get candles, whoops. I made him do the math. At least he knew it was 6, and I think he even liked it when I asked him what "5 plus 1 = what?" LOL
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Our Baby Chicks!
So, we have adopted 15 baby chicks, in the last week:) Yes, we are nuts, but we want fresh eggs, and a project for Ty. He asked for them for his birthday, and Bob agreed to 5, and that turned into 15...whoops!
Ty is getting the chicks home ready.
Here are the first 9 we bought last Thursday. The stores sell out so fast from these little guys, that we didn't get the ones Ty really wanted. We found a feed store that had some that were good layers, and decided that we didn't want to wait, and got them now. We bought 3 Barred Rock pullets, 2 "mystery chicks" (The shipment they were expecting didn't come in, and this is what they got. It was buy one get one free, so we thought "why not"! Our luck, they will both end up being roosters...), and Ty wanted a White Silkie. They are the super cute ones that look like they have fur instead of feathers. When they get big you can only see their beaks, because their hair is in a big puff ball on top of their heads. Super cute! Might not lay eggs well, and could be a rooster, but at least it will be nice to look at:)
I think that is a picture of a "Mystery Chick", and the black one is a Black Australorp, that we lucked out with, and got 3 of them at Wilco. They had an extra bunch that they were selling over the ones that were ordered. It happened to be one of the breeds Ty actually had on his list!
The Barred Rocks, are the black ones with the gray spots on their heads...they don't seem to be very friendly...they are always pecking at us:(
We picked these up this morning. Nana bought Ty his supplies for this batch, and the chicks for his birthday present. We can't put them together until this gals get bigger, otherwise they could get pecked to death, and that wouldn't be good. So, we have to keep them in their own house until they reach about the same size.Ty calls them his "pretty" ones. When we got them home he asked if he could take back the "others" to get more of these "pretty" ones! He's so funny. I didn't realize how perticular he is, until we started researching which different breeds of chickens to get, and he only wanted specific ones. I guess he takes after his Mom ;-)
These are two of our really attractive Ameracaunas. They lay the blue and green eggs! I can't wait. There is something to having a beautiful egg...they come in all shades from blue to green. It will always be neat to see what color they lay. 
Ty got another Silkie...this time grey, 2 Buff Orpingtons...they are the yellow ones, and the 3 Ameracaunas. The other Ameracauna is yellowie, but has the puffy hair like the other two, so we'll just wait and see what she looks like when grown.
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