Bread making with the big girls!

Both my big girls have shown interest in making homemade bread and things from a rising dough (pretzels, bagels, cinnamon rolls). I told them to both make a basic white bread first and then move on from that. I asked if they would like to try a new bread each week and they both seemed to like the idea. We will start next week with a basic white bread and then move on to other things. Since bread making tends to take a little while they will work on different days. Gracie is extremely enthusiastic about the whole thing. This week we will be making a sourdough starter and even an Amish friendship bread starter (which Gracie wants to start). Watch out friends and neighbors because if we can keep it alive you will probably be getting some. I have always enjoyed making bread and I think both girls will like it also! It is always nice to come home to fresh bread baking! I used to bake bread every other day and Randy loved coming home to the smell! Now I don't make it as much but still love the process and can't wait for my girls to have that same experience!!

Our anniversary!

Randy and I have been married for nine years! Some days it doesn't seem that long (time flies when your having fun). Other days it feels like we have been together for 50 years (we are still having fun though :)! Our anniversary isn't a day we usually make a big deal out of. Every day is a day to show our love to one another and we don't really need a calendar to remind us of that. Most years we do go out to eat, which is a treat from my parents. This year was a little different though. I loved what my family did! They got us a pressure canner and a few books on canning. Randy and I have fallen in love with preserving seasonal foods so that was the perfect thing for us! Especially this time of year! My plans for our anniversary were to stay in, have our usual Friday night pizza night, and look through our new books. Ha! At 4:30 Randy called me and asked if he had some nice slacks and a nice shirt clean for his ceremony that night. How could I have forgotten when we were just talking about it the day before and I convinced him to go AND that I would be there for it!? He was inducted into the National Honor Society Friday night! I rushed to get ready because we were supposed to be there by 6. He got home about 5:45 and also rushed to get out the door. Fortunately it didn't start till 7 but we were a little late. It was a nice ceremony and fairly short but I had only had the kiddos order a couple pizzas and was afraid they would be gone by the time we got home so we went out to eat anyway. We went to Bojangles! Yes, fast food for our anniversary, we know how to party! We then came straight home and got ready for bed. Yup, really party animals! Bed by 9:30! It was a perfect day though and we both enjoyed ourselves and each others company very much. I am so proud of my husband and all his accomplishments!!

32 1/2 weeks

How far along?
32 1/2 weeks

Weight gain?
Ha!

Maternity clothes?
Yes!

Stretch marks?
No new ones, just the ones from the other kiddos which I notice more now.

Sleep?
Some nights I sleep great and others not at all. Always get up during the night a few times to potty and napping is getting harder since I can't get comfortable.

Best moment this week?
Finding out even though the baby boy is little and still has a little tummy it is growing and things look great! Praise God!!!! We have been watching cord flow and weight for a few weeks now but all looks good!

Food cravings?
Really the only craving is those ice cream drum sticks. I am craving Chick-fil-a a little but as long as I have food I am happy! I always seem to be eating something or looking for something to eat!!

Gender?
Boy

Belly Button?
It is almost flat now! Randy says when I pops out I am done cooking! lol

Movement?
He has his moments of scaring me because I don't feel him for a while and then he just has a ball in there! He is moving more but not kicking as much. I think space is starting to get a little tight in there.

What I miss?
Energy, sleep, being able to do as much without wearing down and needing to take a rest! Being comfortable all the time! Not having indigestion from just looking at food!

What I'm looking forward to?
I think the whole family is looking forward to holding this little boy! Hanni has even cried over wanting him now! I told her to wait just a few more weeks!




It is a pretty bad pic but it is me at 32 weeks! At least I have a pic to remember what I looked like! lol

Spring Break

Our spring break has been great!! The big girls got to go to the beach with our neighbor from Sun.-Wed. and they had a blast! While the big kiddos were gone the littles and I decided we were going to have some fun too and have somewhat of a staycation. We did do some work, but we had fun too.



These pictures were after our hard morning of work Monday morning. We took a huge pile of branches and some logs out of the front yard. Randy cut down a few trees there and we put fruit trees instead but to put the fruit trees in we had to clear out the cut trees. The kids and I had a lot of fun doing the work though.

Hanni has played a lot of dress up this past week! She even included her's and Gracie's stuffed animals!
On Monday afternoon, after we finished our tree removal, we went to Chick-fil-a and got food to bring home. We really worked up and appetite and I was too tired to eat in so we brought food home to mom and daddy. We got banana pudding milkshakes as a treat and what a great treat it was. Then the kids and I curled up for a rest time. Hanni ended up going to her room for more dress up while Eli watched a movie and I slept a little.
Monday afternoon we went to Lowes, the flower place, and to get some strawberries. The kiddos helped me pick out some flowers for the yard and a couple pots on the porch and at Lowes we got soil and a blue light bulb for the front porch so we could light the house blue for Autism Awareness. We all really had a great time!
Monday night Randy got into the house work, planted one of our trees and taught Eli how to take bark off logs. On Tues. he mentioned that he wants to learn to whittle wood so I guess I have to do research. I know it is a soothing activity so it may be right up his alley!

On Tuesday and Wednesday we had laid back days. My dear friend Amber came over on Tuesday and it was so good to catch up. She has been planning her wedding so we haven't seen each other as much. I am looking forward to summer when we can see alot of each other!
It was just so nice to have some down time in the beginning of the week.
Wed. night the girls came home and boy were they excited and had so many stories to share.
Thursday I had two doctors appts. They both went well and they are watching the baby for cord flow which has a little resistance but hasn't changed so that is actually good. If it changes and gets more resistance they have to watch even closer but so far so good!!! Praying it keeps going good! The baby gets another weight check next week. I can't believe I have less than ten weeks left!
Yesterday, Gracie and I went out for some secret missions.

It was so nice to get out with just Gracie and we had so much fun! We got Easter stuff and today she is going to assist in egg decorating! So proud of the young lady she is becoming!!!
We came home to a big play day for all the kiddos (and came home to this little diva).

Our neighbor dressed her up like a rock star! We have had such a great week and I am looking forward to the weekend! Egg dying, egg hunts, the bunny comes and lots of garden work!! What a fun spring!!!

Feeling the itch...

I have been feeling the itch to start canning for the year! I fell in love last year with the process. By the end of summer though, I was done! I knew that it was something I enjoyed though and want to continue to do each year. I am so excited for strawberries to come out. I have so many things I want to try with them including just plain freezing some. I ordered some vanilla beans online and am looking forward to using that in some of my recipes. Wow, vanilla is expensive! Thank the Lord someone gave me a tip to try ebay. I remember who said it but I either heard or read it last summer and fortunately I remembered.

This week I made limoncello. I have been wanting to make it for about two years now and my neighbor loves it. I figured since I am still waiting on strawberries to come in I might as well go ahead and make some. Also as soon as my vanilla gets here I will be making our own vanilla extract. Unfortunately it takes a long time to get ready to use but I will try to be patient. My mom bought some from Mexico years ago and that was the best vanilla I have ever used so I am pretty excited to make it at home.

We have stayed busy here. Randy has cut down some trees in the yard. He is still working on cleaning up that mess but we are going to put some fruit trees in the place of the ones cut. One or two of them were just taking over the yard so nothing else was growing properly so as sad as I am to see the shade go I am looking forward to fresh fruit from the trees and seeing our other trees thrive.

There is still so much needed to be done before my plants arrive and the baby arrives but I am trying to stay calm and if it is done it is done and if not, well, we tried. I just get frustrated because I can't help more but the family is very understanding and I am blessed to have such great people in my life!

Some may be wondering why my child and her friend are wearing trash bags. On Friday my neighbor and I were hanging out and doing a little weeding in the garden and the girls were digging for worms. Eli was hiding inside our neighbor's house because he saw a few bees. While the girls were digging for worms, Corbin, asked for a Hefty bag so she could sit down and not get dirty. I know digging for worms but doesn't want to get dirty, how a little girl thinks! She went and got one and soon after coming back outside it started raining. We all went in but I went home for a couple minutes. When I returned all three kids were playing with this bag. Don't worry they kept it away from their face and had supervision. Then they started making scarfs and such with the torn pieces. Corbin asked her mom for her own box of bags. She got them and by Saturday they were making trash bag clothes. I don't have a pic. of Eli but his outfit was pretty impressive. Who knew garbage bags could be so much fun!!?? I love how kids find ways to entertain themselves!!!

So much going on this week!

We have had a big but fun week and weekend! We are trying to get our yard garden ready and I would really like to do some landscaping and make it pretty. I, unfortunately, can't do much but try to pitch in it with little time consuming tasks. We are having an early spring this year and praying we don't get hit with a late frost but with the high 70's and 80's a frost seems so far away right about now. We planted some broccoli for Eli since he really wanted some and Randy planted some spinach in the garden. Randy also planted some cilantro. He has read and heard about the health benefits of cilantro and has been really wanting to plant some. Unfortunately, mom and I love the flavor of cilantro but last time we had it, it made both of us sick so we will get our health somewhere else. I have a plan to make a garden in the front yard, which in my opinion, needs help. It isn't a horrible front yard but we have never really done much with it since moving in and there is so much usable space there. We have a wood wall by the driveway and around the well next to the wood wall there are some bulbs that come out each spring. It is absolutely gorgeous to see the color there. I want Randy to put a usable garden. I want two berry shrubs and some flowers and plants there. I found a bird sanctuary garden in one of our garden catalogs that I really want there. I want to incorporate some of our own plants into it as well as what they have though. I also want to work on the side of the house and side of the garage. Maybe put some grape vines and berry bushes. There is just so much to do!

Our side of town does a big consignment sale for kids clothes a couple times a year. This was my first time going even though it is right down the street from our neighborhood. I am so glad I went this time. All three youngest kids need summer clothes. I was able to get some really cute clothes for an excellent price! I also got clothes for the baby boy and some maternity clothes. I had in my head that I could just wear my winter maternity clothes through the spring since it really doesn't get too warm here till April. Then we will still have some cooler days and warm days. How wrong was I with this unseasonably warm weather. I was so excited to see they had some shorts and tops for this weather! They also had a lady there who make the cutest hair bows. I bought several for Hanni bug since she still loves a big bow in her hair each day! She was so excited to get them. She even got two tractor ones. Hanni loves those two. She is such a daddy's girl. All girl with a little farmer in her! lol

Hanni bug also had her first BIG sleepover last night. She has slept over at the neighbors house before but I am two doors down if she needs me (and Maryjo was with her). Yesterday afternoon I got a call from my neighbor who asked if Hanni could go to Columbia with them and stay the night. I was a little nervous at first but knew Hanni would love it. So in about 10 minutes we had a bag packed and off they went. They are staying with my neighbor's mom who my kiddos have kind of adopted as another grandmother so Hanni was so excited to be going, and even more exciting she got to spend the night with her best friend! My baby is growing up! Sniffle.

Yesterday we had a lot to do. Randy had a errand to run in Greer in the morning which I went along with him. So nice to spend that time together. Then he had school work to do. Yesterday afternoon he dug three holes for me in the yard and planted my mutsu apple trees and a pomegranate tree for Maryjo. The kiddos fished off the dock while he did this and I spent time trimming old growth in the front yard and keeping him company. It really was a perfect afternoon. I am so excited about these apple trees though. We go pick apples in NC once a year and always come home with about four HUGE bags of apples. Usually 3 of those four bags are these mutsu apples. I tasted them a couple years ago and have never had an apple like it. It is hard to find these trees without researching and ordering where to get them. The place we pick apples could order a couple for us but it would be a while till we get them. We were looking at trees at the farm supply store on Thursday and sure enough they had them! It didn't take much to convince Randy to get them then and there! So excited for them to start producing apples!!

We have just had the perfect spring week and look forward to what this week brings!!

Almost 27 weeks!!

How far along?
26 weeks but only one more day til 27

Weight gain?
Too much!

Maternity clothes?
Yes

Stretch marks?
Still no new ones that I can tell!! Hopefully it will stay that way!!

Sleep?
Ha! Some nights I sleep great but other nights I toss and turn and the leg cramps are keeping me up! Now I have this wonderful sprain that keeps me up in pain. Getting comfortable is a whole different issue. I do get up early still and am usually full of energy like I have had a great nights sleep but by about noon I am ready to put my head on a pillow (which many days I take advantage of).

Best moment this week?
Through all the rough patches this week, we got the baby furniture put up last weekend, found out the baby is doing well and then found out again after I fell that he is good. Spent some time with the little kiddos and have really just tried to enjoy this pregnancy. I am trying to stay positive!

Food cravings?
Not quite as bad but I am still eating alot! My sweet tooth, which started to fade a bit, has come back. I am learning that I can't eat alot of foods due to tummy issues and indigestion. I eat enough of what I can handle to feed an army though!!

Gender?
Boy

Belly button?
Still in but getting almost flat when I lay down. I am guessing if it decides to pop out it will soon.

Movement?
Most days he is moving alot! I feel him roll more than kick though now. He still kicks quite a bit but he is rolling alot.

What I miss?
Eating without feeling punished by my body for doing so. Sleeping comfortably. I, for the most part, enjoy being pregnant so there isn't too much I miss.

What I am looking forward to?
Seeing our little one for the first time. Eating normally again. Being able to get comfortable in bed.

Not the most classy pregnant lady

Oh my! I am now in a boot limping on both legs! I had finally gotten over this major leg cramp I got in the middle of the night last week when on Friday afternoon I took my kiddos out to see The Lorax to celebrate Dr. Suess birthday and for being so patient going to appts and such with me. We decided to go have some lunch first. We went to a family favorite restaurant, Fatz and had a good time. At the end of our meal Eli had to go potty and I got up to point him in the direction of the boys room and fell. It was actually pretty weird, when I got up my foot just rolled under me and my ankle gave out. I threw myself back so I wouldn't fall forward on my belly. I fell hard. I have a pretty little bruise on my back. I tried not to cry (one from incredible pain and two from embarrassment). I got up as calmly as I could and pointed Eli (who was just standing there in shock the whole time)towards the bathroom. I then sat down and waited for the check. By the time we got to the car my foot and ankle were swollen pretty bad. I swung by to take Randy so food and he looked at it. I was also monitoring kicks from the baby at this point. I called the nurse and she told me signs to look for but told me other than that the baby is well cushioned and most likely fine. We then went to the movie. I was in pain and trying not to cry the whole time but figured out I could count baby kicks there. Ha! I had to go to the potty so much that I never got a good kick count. But when we got to the car my foot and ankle were huge. We went home and I elevated and iced it. By the time I got Randy the baby was moving but very low (lower than ever before) and not as much as normal. Randy took one look at my foot and said we were going to the hospital. I called the nurses line to find out where to go. As we waited for a call back we just went to the ER. They sent me straight to L & D to monitor the baby. Baby boy is fine (praise God)! We went back to the ER. Xrays on my foot because the doctor really couldn't tell with all the swelling if it was broken. Well, it is a severe sprain. They put me in a boot since I am pregnant and worried about me with crutches. It actually helps to walk surprisingly well. Without it I am just hobbling in a funny manner.
Well, tonight I am up in the middle of the night with another leg cramp. So now I am hobbling on that leg and limping on my sprain! Whoever said pregnancy is beautiful is crazy! I don't sleep well most nights, I have constant indigestion, tummy aches and gas, and now I can't even walk pretty! Pregnancy might not be a pretty thing but in all honesty it is so worth every minute of it!

21 weeks

How far along?
21 1/2 weeks

Weight gain?
I go to the doctor next week and they will weigh me! I feel like I am carrying this baby all over though! lol

Maternity clothes?
Yup

Stretch marks?
No new ones but I feel the stretch sometimes on my skin. Piling on the lotion!!!

Sleep?
I am more active now but can't sleep in the early mornings still. I do need a nap still some days.

Best moment this week?
We are painting the house and all the kids worked together to do Grandpa and Grandma's room on Monday! It was awesome to watch!!!

Food cravings?
Just about anything. I feel like I am always hungry!!!

Gender?
Boy

Belly button?
Still in but I can see it changing shape.

Movement?
Yes, the kiddos and Randy have felt it too!! Kicking more and more!!! Even woke me up one day!

What I miss?
Nothing really except energy!

What I'm looking forward to?
Still haven't started baby shopping but have definitely been looking at what we need and such. So excited to get some things!!!

Savory Sunday 2

I am personally excited about this weeks menu! Maybe just because food excites me lately! I can't stop eating!!! I have become a glutton but I will enjoy it while I can.

Sunday- tacos, Randy's choice but I am totally happy he chose it. Yup, I made a pig of myself!

Monday- red beans and rice, not my favorite but I know it will still be great!

Tuesday- matzo ball soup, a huge family favorite!

Wednesday- chicken pot pie, Gracie is going to get our neighbors recipe since mine is timely, difficult, and more expensive.

Thursday- nachos, with the leftover taco stuff

Friday- Pizza night!!

Saturday- leftovers

Savory Sunday

My goal is to have my menu planned about a month in advance. I get so tired of some nights hearing what are we having for dinner. I usually have no clue and just have to think quick or run to the store and grab a frozen lasagna or something. I am just sick of not knowing sometimes.
I am going to put our menu for the week on my blog each Sunday. One it keeps me in check and two maybe it can give others ideas!!

Sunday-Grandma's green bean, mashed potato casserole
Monday-Crockpot chicken and dumplings
Tuesday-Spaghetti (hopefully Grandma's!)
Wednesday-Fish of some sort. We have some in the freezer that needs to be eaten.
Thursday-Leftover spaghetti
Friday-Pizza night
Saturday-Hamburger Helper

I try to make some nights really easy so the big kiddos can make dinner. I also didn't include sides due to the fact that we have stuff in the freezer that needs to be eaten. Also it will depend on the meal and what sides are on sale that week! I am also hoping having a menu will keep me out of the grocery store so much and therefore save money!!!

Slumber party!!!!

Friday night was a fun night for the kiddos. Hanni and Maryjo spent the night at the neighbor's house and had a blast. Gracie and Eli did their own slumber party here at home. They stayed up late and watched movies and ate popcorn. Their type of night. But, the girls were up to so much more! They did hair, makeup, dress up, games, and just all around had a great time. I kinda started to get worried when I hadn't heard from them the next morning until almost noon! Our neighbor's kiddo often shows up early in the morning on the weekends so not hearing from any of them was a big shock to me. When I did hear from them they were still in fun mode. This was Hanni's first sleepover so Maryjo went with her, just in case she needed one of us. Of course my worry was over nothing and she did great! Maryjo had just as much fun as the little ones though. I find it absolutely amazing that such a different age range gets along so well. Gracie and Eli are even great friends with the neighbor. The ages are 7-16 between these 5 kids and they are all interested in similar things and get along great! We are so blessed to have that in our neighborhood, especially, just two doors down! I think it helps that my kids all have a great relationship to begin with so adding someone so great to them is a piece of cake!

By noon, the girls headed home and brought our neighbor with them so the man of their house could get some sleep. lol But, the fun didn't end there. They all had a trip to the mall planned! Eli went with them and was so excited about going with the girls. Gracie couldn't go because, unfortunately, she woke up early in the morning with a tummy illness. I feel bad that her's and Eli's sleepover got ruined but fortunately they live in the same house so they can do a sleepover anytime. After the mall we all had exhausted kiddos and it was time to come home and stay home for the night! They all had a blast though and I have to thank my neighbor for letting the kids invade your weekend!! So much fun though!!!

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18 weeks

How far along?
18 weeks

Weight gain?
Not as bad as I had thought.

Maternity clothes?
I usually wear them out since that is the only decent thing that fits me but around the house it is pj's and sweats.

Stretch marks?
Still only the ones from the other kiddos!

Sleep?
Most days still take a nap but I fall asleep hard at night and get up at a ridiculous hour in the morning! I still can't sleep in the mornings but thankful for nap time!!!

Best moment this week?
Taking Gracie and Eli with me to my doctors appts. They got to see the baby and hear it's heartbeat!

Food cravings?
I can say I can't handle most ground meat and chicken is a big turn off. Other than that I'll eat it if it doesn't eat me first!

Gender?
BOY!!!

Belly button?
In

Movement?
Feeling more and more but some days nothing still. Just waiting on the consistency! Much stronger movement and feel it for longer periods of time. Usually only when I am still though!

What I miss?
Not too much. Still miss the energy but it has picked up this week.

What I'm looking forward to?
Next weeks ultrasound. It is the big 2nd trimester one!!! I am taking Hanni to this one!!!