Set Free

This yummy chicken strip recipe is taken from Parenting magazine issue 270 (Dec/Jan 2013).  There are eight recipes total, but tonight I tried the All-American recipe. Ingredients for All-American Chicken Strips: Chicken breasts cut into strips (or chicken tenders would work) Egg lightly beaten Flour Bread Crumbs Chopped cooked bacon Shredded Cheddar Cheese Dipping Sauce (they recommended blue cheese dressing, but I'm doing ranch or BBQ sauce) Directions: 1.  Cook bacon; preheat oven to 400* (Meanwhile) 2. Cut chicken into strips 3. Spray pan (didn't mention this but I did it for easier clean up) 4. Beat egg; dip chicken in egg then cover with flour, place in pan 5. Cover chicken: bread crumbs, chopped bacon, and shredded cheese 6. Bake at 400 for 20 mins. (or until chicken is done) *I served with leftover Alfredo pasta (from Cheesecake Factory) and fresh cooked broccoli, but obviously do whatever you want. :)

Two months of changes: Use alarm clock to check length of feedings and not to wake you up. Prepare to have outings take "that much" longer. Lean over to cuddle with hubby and realize he has already left for work. (added later) Husbands call their wives Mommy, and Husbands are called Daddy Touch cold zipper and think you have spit up on you. More poop, more smiles. Perspectives change: dirty diapers a good thing because it means a healthy baby Realizing the amount of junk you eat, because it goes to the baby also Clothes are hardly ever clean and once you get the chance to do a load--she wets or blowouts on more! You get delighted to hear a burp, especially when it finally comes out after one of those middle of the night feedings. Your free-time becomes getting another snack or meal, changing a load of laundry, taking a shower, or updating your grocery list and meal plan. Watching TV/Netflix, checking up on Facebook, or watching a movie takes the p

Remember this post ?  Well, Jon and I had a wonderful weekend of hanging out together after being apart for four days.  It was nice to catch up and I know he appreciated company at the apartment.  On Sunday we attended our church here in Cedar Rapids. When we got there Ellie was content and I was thinking she would probably fall asleep during the service.  However it was too close to her next "feeding time" so she was set on eating before falling back asleep, so I had to miss out on the worship part of the service.  Bummer.  Our church always does one song at the end of the service, so I was looking forward to it. After a wonderful sermon  we were led in the last song of the service.  And with tears held in my eyes I lifted my hands to praise my Savior.  Because after that longing of wanting to worship my King that morning, we were led in a song that was so dear to my heart this week. As I sang these words, I thanked my Lord.  He led me in a song that I needed.  He kne

Why did I change my blog title? Well the best way to explain is to go back to when I first started my blog. Jon and I just got married.  I wanted to blog about our life.  We were about an hour away from family and friends.  I figured people might want to know how our newlywed life was going. Believe me.  I still feel like we are newlyweds (in a good way).  I still get excited when Jon comes home from work.  I delight in the fact he wants to be with me where ever he goes.  Some times he calls me when he has to work Friday afternoons to see if I could just come and give him company! :)  I love him to pieces. Aside from the blog being helpful for friends and family to check up on our life, I also thought hoped Jon would give his input and make a few blog posts of his own!  Who was I kidding?  My hubby loves receiving encouraging notes from me, but when it comes to him writing....he would rather sleep, eat, or do anything but that!  So "Kaisand Korner" was more of "

my mind wonders constantly.  you cant be diagnosed with it or anything.  how can you really know for sure.  i had a teacher study me pretty deeply, and after a couple years she sat my parents and I down (i was an adult at the time) and said "i cant know for sure but i think mary has ADD." really?  that makes a lot of sense really. i dont organize sermon notes very well but i do fill them out...otherwise i will forget what the pastor said.  obviously not intentionally.  i always thought i was just totally stupid.  that one student in the class that forgot everything the teacher said.  why was it coming so easy to everyone else?  why did everyone get better grades than me and i know i had studied a lot longer and harder than them.  something must be wrong with me...or i am seriously stupid.  my brain cant handle that much info apparently.  tests are AWFUL.  no matter what i do i would struggle. that teacher that helped "diagnose" me helped me so much with stuff.

Everything from me passing out three times to middle of night feedings to lots of diapers to blow outs to the first smile....my baby is a month old now.  I'm actually okay with that.  Thought it might be hard dealing with her getting older, however she hasn't "grown" a whole lot and I feel a tons better compared to her first week.  I can actually enjoy her more now that I'm not dealing with the aftermath of bringing her into this crazy world. We love her to death.  She gave us her first smile so BOTH of us could see it.  :)   It's been a blessing to watch my husband become a father and see how much he adores her. And how much she adores him. :) But there are just a few things you don't like little one. 1. Getting your clothes changed. 2. Sometimes you are not a fan of getting a bath, but I think that's because you feel cold.  You like being warm and swaddled. first bath at home first bath at home with new bath t