Set Free

Three years ago I got engaged to Jon.  I have yet to write a post about that part of our love story....but until then: just know that it didn't go as plan but in the end we got married and that's what matters, right? :) So tonight it was only best to have our little family's Christmas. First I had to get us ready.  Ellie got a bath and I got a shower.  I know, I accomplished a lot today. ;) Then it was time to work in the kitchen.  This mess was just not going to work.... Then I got going on dinner.  I melted a stick of butter and poured it over some chicken tenders in a 9x13 pan.  Then sprinkled some bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and italian seasoning.  I had baked potatoes already in the oven. Cooked the chicken on 400 for about a half hour, so I could make enough for leftovers.  Then I also made a side of macaroni and cheese.  Jon brought home some grape juice, and we called it good! :) When Jon got home Ellie had ...

i don't remember my first Christmas.  i don't remember seeing my first Christmas tree all lit up and decorated.  i don't remember the first time i opened my first gift. but i do remember the first time i played Mary in the Christmas play (and many more years).  i remember the first time hearing what Christmas was all about.  i remember sitting down and listening to my dad read the Christmas story.  i remember joyfully opening presents with the family...it wasn't my first Christmas, but it has special memories. this year would be Ellie's first Christmas.  however she will never remember.  however i still plan on making it special for Jon and I, and Ellie will be right there beside us.  because we are a family.  on Wednesday we are celebrating our little family's Christmas.  it will be a special time and hopefully will continue to be a tradition (i'm a big fan of traditions). i'm going to try to think of something yummy to have for ...

i didn't really mean that. i'm just kidding. why did you do that? don't they know that hurts my feelings? why are they not doing that for me? don't i deserve this? can't you do this one thing for me? it's not that important. he will understand. let me do this one thing first, then.... don't we all from time to time? you'll do it for me, right? the endless thoughts that run in our minds from time to time.  moment to moment.  why?  because we are human.  and the argument inside your mind can cause it to continue on and on and on.  and i'm so thankful for this because it saves me from the unending grace . because with out it i wouldn't be me and you wouldn't be you. and the fact is we could do nothing.  in fact we have done nothing.  nothing to deserve this. heaven and yet God gave us this and no i wasn't about to pick one of those church pictures of nicely cut hair Jesus on the cross with nails...

Oh my dear Ellie you are two months old today!!  Daddy and Mommy love you so much and can't stop smiling with all the sweet little things you do!  Mommy will tell you all about it.... You are so so cute.  Who can't stop looking at you? took this pic today! 2 mo old While Mommy was doing your two month photo shoot she is reminded of all the sweet things you do, and all the things you do not like!  Ellie, you enjoy smiling and "talking" to us.  Sometimes it even sounds like you say "hi" back.  When we talk or stick our tongue out you move your mouth and play with your tongue too. ...or just watch us try to get you to talk :) Then Mommy wanted to start showing your size.  Your one month photo was in your bouncer so you had to do one good one in the bouncer for month two. one month old two months old Sorry the views are different, but you can tell the slight difference of how you are growing up!  So content!  Here's anothe...

This past weekend was the last weekend before we start celebrating Christmas.  Jon and I both love Christmas, but we were looking forward to taking Ellie (ahem, and me) out of the house and walk around.  (Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us use your stroller so we wouldn't have to carry Ellie everywhere!) Friday Jon got off in the middle of the afternoon.  When he came home he helped me get Ellie ready to go out.  (She had a blow out just in time for Daddy to come home.)  Then we had late lunch at Pancheros.  If you know Jon at all, that is NO surprise what so ever!  Then we went to Westdale Mall near our apartment.  The mall is best for walking.  It's indoors and not crowded.  There are hardly any stores left in this mall.  Besides a few salons, Younkers, JCPenny, Payless, and Chick fil A there's not a whole lot else.  Except the Cedar Rapids Library.  So Jon and I did some window shopping.  Well, actually I got some...

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 ...

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!...

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...

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...

I wouldn't say today was the best day I've ever had with Ellie but it certainly isn't the hardest.  I would definitely say the hardest days with Ellie were at the hospital.  I love being at home now and enjoying the blessings of NOT having nurses and doctors stop in our room constantly checking up on things.  Ellie is able to nap when she wants to and not be woken up by constant reasons to be "checked on."  It also helps that she is now a little older and getting a routine sort of going. :)  She is also doing better at nursing and I think I got it down too.  I feel like I got a better idea of what she needs at different times.  It's not always an "I'm hungry" cry, and I'm figuring those needs out.  By no means am I saying I got this parenting down.  Geesh, she's not even a month old yet! Currently she is asleep on our bed...she fell asleep while I was folding laundry.  She needed to fall asleep but usually in the evening/night she like...

When I was pregnant I didn't brush my teeth until after I ate breakfast.  I didn't want the gag reflex to kick in.  I wanted to make sure I had enough food in me.  It started the day off a whole lot better that way.  Trust me. But it taught me how to prepare for a new born..... If I brush my teeth before noon I'm pretty surprised.  By the time I get up and eat breakfast, take my medicine, feed Ellie, change her diaper, talk to her, and put her back to sleep....It's time for lunch.  Why brush your teeth right before you eat a meal?  Yeah, that's gross.  So I eat lunch.  Some times Ellie wakes up again so I have to sooth her and put her back to sleep. By now it's definitely past noon. oops. Now I better brush my teeth BEFORE hubby gets home. That's my new goal. What's yours?

I keep returning to my blog knowing how badly I want to share Ellie's birth story.  However it was pretty intense and a lot of it, I don't know if I really want to share on the internet for everyone to read the specifics.  Some people are not like me and are okay with hearing details.  Even the personal bodily function kind. ;p However I'll list a few things to explain how things are going. First off, Ellie is two weeks old today!  Where did the newborn go???  I feel like we already handed the newborn over and now we have a baby.  We're noticing changes already.  We love her so much!!  But let me tell you...she gave me quite the ordeal to bring her into this world! I'm not even going to go into the nine month of pregnancy.  I think you all already know how the pregnancy went from past posts.  However if you don't remember, you can always click on a post from the side bar from the months of February through September of 2012. Anyw...

My little Ellie Marie is one week old today!  We don't know what we did with out her.  I'm so thankful to not be pregnant anymore and to finally have that special cuddle time with my sweet daughter. I love asking kids questions and hearing their answers but since Ellie can't talk yet I'll give you some info about our sweet little peanut. She is the sweetest thing ever!  I mean seriously, look at her.  Who wouldn't mind waking up multiple times in the night to feed this little one?  Her sweet little noises are loud and Jon is still getting used to it.  It wakes him up.  I try my best to give him as much rest as needed since he can't rest during the day like I can.  However if he hears her, he asks me to check on her and make sure she's okay.  He is such a good Daddy!   So far she sleeps the most during the day.  Only waking up a couple times to eat.  She makes up for it during the night.  She eats on average...