Saturday and Sunday Mornings

This is the image, in which I see, on the weekends. I usually grab Adam, from bed and throw him in bed with Andy. Adam watches a cartoon or two, and Andy snoozes for an extra half hour. During this time, I usually empty the dishwasher or make breakfast for the boys. Sometimes I listen to Adam talk to the TV or I listen to his attempt to wake Andy (which is very cute!!). These are such special times and some of my favorite. So simple and so sweet. Just think.... soon there will be another sweet boy added to the mix.... SOON.... (hint, hint, Matthew ;)).

Thursday's Theme: Begin

On a prayer, in a song
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on
Raining down, against the wind
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end
When you come back to me again
And again I see my yesterday's in front of me
Unfolding like a mystery
You're changing all that is and used to be

When You Come Back to Me Again- Garth Brooks (Our wedding song)

This is what I think of when I think of the word "begin." Here we are 6 years ago, our two hearts as one. Who would have thought, then, that we would be the family we are now? What an amazing journey, and what a beautiful beginning.

Begin your day over at Tracey's for more of Thursday's Theme!

Matthew's Room

It's amazing how different Matthew's room looks from Adam's, when Adam was in this room. It's also amazing how different the things in the room look, even though half of the things we also used for Adam. Now, some of it's different but the main pieces are the same. I LOVE the colors we chose to paint the walls. They are so bright and vibrant! There are a few more things we need to do: like get him some of his own books (for the bookshelf) and figure out something to put on the white shelf (that was my white shelf, when I was little. My grandpa Gilkerson made it for me! I'm glad Matthew gets to use it; now I just need to find something to put on it. Any ideas?!). Also, notice the closet. The child has SO many clothes. Some are new, some are hand-me-downs, but most importantly... HE IS SET! There are even clothes in a tote, under the hanging clothes, that I couldn't hang up! haha.

Yesterday's doctor appointment went much better than last weeks! I didn't leave there crying. haha. I gained the pound back I lost. Sadly, it's probably just water retention because of the heat, but we'll take it. She gave me all of my paperwork, for the hospital, and told me she would be more than happy to deliver Matthew this week, if I'd just go into labor. haha. I was still not quite 1 centimeter dilated (SIGH!), but she tried to stretch it a little for me, to maybe get things going (that was nice of her... I think she knows how DONE I am). Everything else was normal. My blood pressure was SUPER low (90/56), and my arm is so small that they had to get a different cuff for the machine. GEESH. haha.

Hopefully, I will be announcing his birth next week at this time. It could happen...right? :)

Happy mid-week, all!

A Complete Dinner: Wafflewich and "Anti"pasto Salad

Rachel Ray is my hero, in many ways: for her cooking techniques, her quirky attitude, and her amazing recipes. I took one of her ideas and made it into my own. The first recipe is for a monte cristo wafflewich and the second is for an "antipasto" pasta salad. I made these two together, and they were quite yum-o!



Monte Cristo Wafflewich
Serving Size 2 sandwiches

4 Frozen Waffles lightly toasted (or homemeade)
2 slices each of turkey and ham
4 slices swiss cheese
4 slices of bacon cooked (turkey bacon would work, too)
2 tbl butter

Mustard Sauce (blend all ingredients together- until smooth)

4-6 tbl Dijon mustard (or brown spicy mustard- if you like things spicy)
2 tbl cranberry, raspberry or grape jelly
dash of garlic powder

1. Heat butter in skillet
2. Take one waffle slice and begin layering ingredients as follows: mustard sauce, slice of cheese, 1 slice of ham or turkey, 2 pieces of bacon, 1 slice of ham or turkey, cheese, more mustard sauce, and top with another waffle slice.
3. Fry sandwich in skillet, until both sides of waffle are browned (butter helps create a yummy crust) and cheese is melted.
4. Makes 2 sandwiches and ENJOY!



"Antipasto" Pasta Salad

Salad

1 box Italian flavored pasta salad (Betty Crocker or Kraft brand) - I used Kraft
1/2 can of kidney beans
4 oz. mozzarella cheese (slices or bar)
20-25 slices of pepperoni (cut in-half)
6 slices of deli salami (cut into quarters)

Dressing

3 tbl extra virgin olive oil
4 tbl red wine vinegar
2 tbl dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard
package of italian seasoning that comes with pasta mix
salt and pepper to taste

1. Boil pasta according to boxes instructions (make sure to shock the pasta, when done, in cold water)
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients, until well blended. If dressing is too strong, add more oil or a bit of water.
3. Toss pasta, remaining ingredients, and dressing in bowl. Refrigerate until chilled.
4. Serve on a bed of lettuce and top with parmesan cheese (comes with pasta mix)
5. ENJOY! :)


Hopefully these recipes turn out as well, for you, as they did for me. They were yum-o!

BSM: Donut Face

I always loved summer, as a kid, because it was a time to relax and do whatever I wanted. As an adult, I see that my parents saw summer as a time to run us kids everywhere and non-stop chaos!

My best shot Monday just reminds me of those quiet moments. Those moments when nothing is really going on, but they are more important than those busy chaotic moments. Oh, and how can I ignore those beautiful eyelashes and the softness of his curly little head? :) I just want to kiss his little face in this picture.

Mosey on over to Tracey's to enjoy those quiet moments and take time out of your chaotic day! Happy Summer, everyone!

Cheater, cheater, pumpkin-eater

Adam has an arranged marriage, with Bean.... haha (Well, at least it's something Bean's mommy and I joke about). But on Friday, when our friends came to town, to visit, Adam cheated on his beloved Bean. What can I say? I have a lady's man. haha.

Actually, this weekend has been filled to the max and ending it with the birth of Matthew would just make my day- but probably no such luck! hah.

Friday, as I said, we had friends come to town (Mommy Lynne) and Mady came to Columbus to shop with us all day. We had a blast. We shopped around Tuttle and had a fun lunch. The kids really took to each other, even though they hadn't seen each other in 10 months or so. Lynne bought Adam and Mady matching Elmo shirts- that Adam has refused to take off in the last 24 hours. haha. See Picture below:


Yesterday we took Adam to the hospital, for the sibling tour. He got to see the nursery (and they even held up a baby for all of the kids to see! SO CUTE! :)! He also saw a room where mommy will be sleeping. Adam liked playing with the automatic hand sanitizer dispenser (imagine that). When we were leaving I asked Adam if he would like to take a baby home and he said "yes, my baby." Hmmm... I don't think he'll be thinking that when Matthew actually comes home, but one can hope!

We then went to a graduation party for my cousins. Adam had a wonderful time playing with his cousins and seeing his Bop, Mop, and "mommy look alike" (aunt "Nonnie" Connie). He also took to his great-grandma Freda, by leading her around the entire backyard and getting her to do things for him that no one else would do. Grandmas are such suckers for their little ones. ;)

Today- we will be celebrating Uncle Trevor's Birthday.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! :)

Thursday's Theme: Glee

Glee: open delight or pleasure; exultant joy; exultation.

This is What causes glee in my heart. :)

Do you have something that causes you open delight? Share your joys (or see someone else's) over at Picture This.