And He said let there be 3...

Yep that's right... Yesterday I was 13 weeks pregnant. Eek! Number 3 definitely came as a surprise. After our miscarriage we decided to not try anymore. We didn't  want to risk going through that again, but God had other plans. You can blame our kid free trip to Colorado 😉! Anyway... So far everything's been good and hopefully we'll get to find out the gender in just a few short weeks! Blythe is overjoyed to be getting a new baby. Although she doesn't quite grasp how long it has to stay in and cook! Knox gets upset when I just play with Blythe's baby dolls so.... I guess he'll adjust eventually... Hopefully. 

Those two are so stinkin' cute. Can't wait to see #3. 

Until next time...

The 14ner...

So this is Mt. Bierstadt and if you'll look at the highest point on the mountain (slightly to the right), then you might just see me up there laughing with pure excitement for making it to the top! Ok, so you won't really see me if you look hard enough.  I took that picture when I was back at the parking lot BUT I did make it to the top.  That's right, this "flatlander" (what many Coloradans called us) climbed 14, 065ft and did not die. Not only did I not die, but I cannot wait to do it again.  K and I went to Colorado last Wednesday for a little kid free get away.  Which by the way sounds awesome, our first time away together in three years, but I'll spare you all the moments we spent not doing cool things and were actually just watching videos of our kids over and over... Anyway, we got there Wednesday and climbed this bad boy Friday morning.  We didn't give ourselves much time to acclimate to the new climate, so I was a little worried about not being able to breathe.  I wasn't sure I could make it to the top and I definitely wasn't sure I could make it to the top and be heading down before the afternoon storms hit.  Apparently 13 people were struck by lightning on this very mountain last month.  So we headed for the mountain at 4:45 a.m. and arrived at the pass at 6:30a.m. where it was 35 degrees at the end of July!!! I wore some layers but still froze the first hour we were climbing.  The route we took is marked in the picture below. 

It took me 3 1/2 hours to get from the parking lot to the very top.  That time included lots of rest, snack, and water breaks. 

This is us about to get started on the trail!

Our first obstacle involved crossing a stream, where I immediately put my foot in the water instead of on the rock.... Oh well, it wasn't cold enough to worry about frost bite...

This picture is my cute husband who did not step in the water on his way across BUT did on the way back!

The higher you go the thinner the air, the harder to breathe, and the need for lots of breaks! This was our first big break.  When you get started on the trail you aren't really climbing much, so you are deceived by the easiness of it.  Our idea was we should go as hard as we can while we can and make good time before we have to slow down.  I don't know how smart that was.  We were digging into the snacks and taking a long break in this picture.  Oh, and enjoying that beautiful scenery!!

Can't call me a flatlander after this climb! Still a long way to go....

And here I am!! At the top!! My head is like literally in the clouds!! Flippin' awesome...  I was just giddy up there.  The last leg of the climb isn't exactly straight up but it does involve some boulder climbing, and let me tell you... THAT IS THE BEST PART! I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face the whole climb.  Actually, I still can't wipe the smile off my face! I know I already said this, but I CANNOT WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN!

Check out the views from the top...

This is my favorite picture

Even though those views are awesome, I wouldn't say that is the best part about making it to the top.  It's all about the accomplishment when you are standing on top of a mountain you just climbed.  Some people want to run a marathon, some people want to do triathlons, some people want to do navy seal training for 13 hours straight... I want to climb as many mountains as I possibly can.  Maybe I should move to Colorado...

Until next time....

On my heart, in my head, out on paper (well sort of)....

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. - Colossians 3:16

Our church is currently doing a study on Colossians, so I decided to keep reading through the book during the study (it's a super short book so I've read through it multiple times now). Each time I read it something new sticks in my mind  and currently it is Colossians 3:16, more specifically the word admonish. 

ad·mon·ish

ədˈmäniSH/

verb

gerund or present participle: admonishing

1. warn or reprimand someone firmly.

   "she admonished me for appearing at breakfast unshaven"

   synonyms:

   reprimand, rebuke, scold, reprove, reproach, upbraid,  chastise, chide, berate, criticize, take to task, read the riot act to, rake/haul over the coals; More

   • advise or urge (someone) earnestly.

     "she admonished him to drink no more than one glass of wine"

     synonyms:

     advise, recommend, counsel, urge, exhort, bid, enjoin;

     Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,... This is definitely different than what the world tells us. The world tells us to "mind our own biscuits and the rest will be gravy." Now I'm not a big country fan, but I do like that song and almost all of me agrees with it. Almost. Yes, we should always examine our motives before approaching someone with the intent to admonish, and yes we should always evaluate the type of relationship we have with the person we are considering admonishing, and yes we should make sure our heart is full of love before we say a word...BUT we should still 'let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.' We are to hold all of our brothers and sisters in Christ accountable.  Christ tells us to. We need to help each other finish this race. What about 'working on the log in your eye before the splinter in someone else's' (I'm paraphrasing)? Well, sure if you're a drunk and tell someone else they have a drinking problem then yes you might want to work on yourself a bit before you address that problem in others. However, we all sin and we all fight different sins more than others. Sometimes others see it before we see it in ourselves or before we are willing to admit it anyway... Sin is tricky.  The devil is tricky. He knows how to ease you into sin, so you don't know how deep you're in until you're drowning in it.  Like the frog that never knows it's being cooked. Ever heard that before?? I don't know where I heard it or if it's even true, but someone said if you put a frog in a pot of warm water and then turn the heat up it won't jump out. They said it doesn't realize it's being boiled until it's too late. That can be us... So entrenched in our sinful behavior that we don't even know it's killing us, but the people on the outside looking in can! Someone walking up and seeing the frog on the stove can say, " Hey, dummy your being boiled! Get out while you still can!" And do you think that frog is going to tell you not to tell him what to do?? No!!! He's going to jump out of the water and hopefully say thank you!!!!!! He can't be mad.  You were trying to save his life. That's what we are called to do for our fellow believers. It's not just their lives at stake, but their eternity. We can't wait until our lives are completely sin free before we say anything... Because that will never happen!! We just have to hold His word, ALL of His word, in our hearts and teach and admonish with all wisdom. We can't be afraid. We are called to love and often loving someone means you have to say the hard things. 

Mourning...

Romans 8:28 "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, those called according to His purpose."

I believe that whole heartedly.  I know this verse does not mean that nothing bad will ever happen in my life, but that God works everything, including the bad things, for my good.  So on April 27th when the test said pregnant and on May 12th when something was a little off with the ultrasound and on May 24th when I started bleeding and on May 26th when the doctors confirmed we had miscarried, I knew that God would work all those moments for my good.  No matter how heartbreaking those moments are.  

But how....

How do you come to terms with not getting to hold the baby you already loved? How do you go so fast from being pregnant to not pregnant? How do you explain it to your other babies? How does this get worked for my good??

The doctors say at least I have two other healthy children... Sorry Doc, but that doesn't lessen the pain of knowing my body expelled my baby into the toilet.  Is that too graphic? It's reality.  Looking in the toilet and wondering... Is that it?? Absolutely the hardest part.  Don't get me wrong.  I do understand there are women out there who can't have children and they would do anything to be in my situation.  I know because I was one of those women once.  However, knowing that I have two children I never thought I would have doesn't take the pain of a miscarriage away.  It doesn't erase the heartache.  

I've mourned for the past two weeks.  Call it mother's intuition or whatever you want...but even before the first ultrasound something just seemed a little off.  I didn't have many symptoms.  I didn't think the timing was right and then the ultrasound was abnormal.  They had no proof of the miscarriage at that time, so they said my numbers could have been off and to come back in two weeks.  The longest two weeks of my life.  I did have some hope, but I never felt like I did with my daughter.  When we got pregnant with her I had a little spotting early on and they put me on some restrictions, but I KNEW I was going to get to hold that baby.  God was bringing her to me and He gave me complete peace.  I never had that with this pregnancy.  I never had peace. Then I started bleeding on Sunday evening and I couldn't see the doctor until Tuesday.  The on-call doctor of course says that doesn't always mean a miscarriage.  So I remained a nervous wreck... mourning then hoping then mourning again... So the final news on Tuesday was heartbreaking but also brought a little relief.  Relief to finally know what I already knew.  Relief to grieve and move on. 

So how do I move on? How will it be worked for my good? 

1.  My brain is grasping on to the fact that just maybe it was never a viable pregnancy.  Because of the early signs they said that was a possibility... It's not much but it makes things easier for me to grasp.  

2. But the main and really only reason I will get over this is because my hope was not in this child.  My hope is not in my other two children.  My hope is not in my husband or my health or my safety or my plans.  My hope is not in this world where, because of the fall of man, babies die and people get sick and hate reigns... My hope is in Christ, the one who defeated sin and promises a world without pain, without sadness.  A new world full of joy and love and peace.  A world without sorrow and heartache.  

13 "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 

3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified."  - Isaiah 61:1-3

And while I am still in this world, He keeps His promise of turning my mourning into dancing and my sadness into joy.... over time.  

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,  - Psalm 30:11

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.  - Jeremiah 31:13

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. - John 16:20

Until next time...

An Ode to my Crock pot...

Oh Crock pot how I love thee

You make dinner (and life) so much easier

So many ingredients can be thrown in you before the evening when my kids go crazy

You cook all day while I play (with babies) and run errands

and in those crazy evening hours before daddy comes home, you make it possible to sit and hold two crying kids instead of trying to cook with them each holding on to a leg!

Oh and you make cleaning up easier too!

Oh crock pot how I love thee

Seriously.  I really do love my crock pot for the exact reasons listed above.  Crock pot meals were easier when I worked and they are easier now.  When I meal plan for the week I try to get at least two CP meals in there, who am I kidding, I try to make them all CP meals.  However, K likes a little more variety each week and doesn't like leftovers too much.  Another good thing about the CP!! It usually makes at least enough for two nights.  That means I get a night with no cooking just reheating....and That. Is. Awesome.  

So let's see... Some of my favorite CP meals:

Michelle's Chicken Tortilla Soup

1/2 chopped onion

1 clove minced garlic

1 sm bunch of cilantro-chopped

2 cans of chicken broth (low sodium)

1 sm can of tomato sauce

1/2 a package of taco seasoning

1 (16oz) can of mexican style tomatoes

2 cans of corn drained

1 tbs worchestire sauce

3 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt and pepper to taste

put all ingredients together in your CP and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4-6 hours.  Shred chicken with forks (it just falls apart as you stir it really).  Serve with whatever you want.  We do avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips.  I change it up sometimes and it's always good.  I usually add more chicken broth and a little more taco seasoning and we don't like cilantro much around here so that gets left out... 

Chicken Tacos

3 or 4 chicken breasts

1 cup of your favorite salsa

1/2 a package of taco seasoning

That's it.  Put it all in the CP 4 hours on high or 7 on low.  Shred chicken and put it on anything.  Seriously.  You can make chicken tacos with all the sides.  You can do nachos, tostadas, lettuce wraps...anything you want.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

3 chicken breasts

A large bottle of your favorite buffalo sauce

1/2 a package of ranch dressing mix

2 tbsp of butter

Put everything except the butter in the CP and cook on low for about 5 to 6 hours.  Add the butter at the end and shred the chicken. K likes it on fresh bakery bread with provolone cheese melted all over it.  It's also really good in a salad!

Thebluehouseblog.com Texas Chili

2lbs of ground beef

1/2 onion chopped

1 (8oz) can tomato sauce

1 (14 1/2oz) can of beef broth

1/2 cup chili powder

3 tsp garlic salt

2 tbsp cumin

1 tsp hungarian paprika

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, depending on if you want your kids to eat it or nor!

1/2 tsp of black pepper

Brown onion and ground beef together in a skillet over medium heat.  Drain and rinse, and return meat to CP.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer on low for up to 6 hours.  

**Disclaimer: I found this recipe on pinterest twice... but both times the page shows an error and no recipe after I pin it. So you can search for Texas Chili at thebluehouseblog.com and see if it comes up.  Luckily I took a picture of it after I panicked when I couldn't find it the first time!! 

Also, I use a little less chili powder than it calls for and I have no idea if my paprika is Hungarian paprika or not... it just says paprika and the chili still tastes good so.....

Loaded potato Soup (www.thecountrycook.net)

4lbs potatoes (red skin, russet or yukon gold) peeled and cubed

1/2 cup f chopped onion

2 (14oz) cans of chicken broth

2 tsps salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 cloves of minced garlic

2 cups half and half

Garnish: shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions

Layer sliced (or cubed) potatoes in a lightly greased CP. Top with chopped onion and garlic (the recipe says this is optional, but garlic makes everything better...). Add chicken broth, salt and pepper...broth will not completely cover potatoes.  Cook on low for 8 hours or until potatoes are tender.  Then mash mixture with a potato masher and stir in half and half.  Cook on high for 20 more minutes or until heated through.  Serve with favorite toppings.

Slow Cooker Tamale Pie (Six Sister's Stuff)

1 lb of ground beef

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp pepper

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 can diced tomatoes with mild green chilis, undrained

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can enchilada sauce

2 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

1 package corn bread/muffin mix

2 eggs

1 cup shredded mexican blend cheese

in skillet, cook beef until no longer pink and drain.  Stir in the cumin, salt, chili powder and pepper.  transfer to CP, stir in beans, tomatoes, corn, enchilada sauce, onions, and cilantro.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until heated through.  In a small bowl, combine muffin mix and eggs; spoon over meat mixture.  Cover and cook 1 hour longer or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  sprinkle with cheese and serve with whatever sides you like.

So the real reason for this post.... I've shared mine now you share yours!!! Anyone have a favorite CP recipe they can share with me?!?!  I need more recipes so I can use my crock pot more and give K a variety ;).

Until next time....

Quarantined and just a sample of crazy....

So my house has been under quarantine since last week. A virus traveled through all of us except K (so far). We didn't all get it at exactly the same time.... One of us would get it and then two days later we would wake up and I would think we could finally get out of the house and bam 102 fever.  Hence the eight day quarantine. Anyway, during Blythe's turn with the virus we watched quite a few Disney movies... Over and over and over. Now I've always loved Disney movies, but as a kid you watch them way different than you do as an adult. You pay way more attention to the details and the flaws. So far Blythe has seen Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Brave, Frozen, and Cinderella... And I've watched them over and over with her.

And I have a few thoughts....

1). Ariel is SIXTEEN.  Never really paid attention to her age before, but she's 16, defies her father, makes a deal with a witch and they make it look like all of that was perfectly ok!!!  Like she was right in the end. Now I can sing Under the Sea with the best of them, but I'm thinking maybe Ariel should be off our playlist!

2). Maleficent and the wicked step mother are the exact same person. Same voice. Same face. Maleficent just has magic. Same for Flora and the fairy godmother. Oh and King Hubert (prince phillip's dad) is the exact same dad as the king in Cinderella. Cinderella was made first, so Sleeping Beauty is just a rip off.  On a different note... I always remember being scared of Maleficent as a kid, but Blythe isn't phased at all. She says Maleficent would be nice to her if they met!

3). Where are all the mothers?????? Thank goodness for Brave. 

4). Speaking of Brave... Finally a movie with the mom playing a prominent role and it's a good role. If Blythe is going to adore princesses, I hope she pays the most attention to Merida (and Belle). I love Brave. I love the mother/daughter relationship and the lessons they both learn. I mainly love the lesson Merida learns... Maybe your mother could be a bit more lenient but she knows where you've come from and knows where you are going and she's there with you through it all. I might be a little biased and a little sensitive on this topic.... Whatever. Don't judge me. 

5). Belle is still my favorite princess, although Merida is a very close second. Belle loves to read, is adventurous and smart, and SHE rescues the Beast. She's the best. It never says her age, so please don't ruin it and tell me she's 16 or anything...  

6). Let it go, let it go.... Oh Frozen. How does Kristof's ice not melt when he brings it down during the summer? How did they get all the ice and snow out of the castle when Anna and Elsa were kids? When exactly did Prince Hans start devising his evil plan? WHY DO THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT ACCENTS? Oh and the trolls totally ruined Elsa's life. She wasn't afraid of her powers until they told her not to be afraid... I guess it isn't all bad. Anna teaches some good lessons. Never trust someone you just met and know nothing about. No matter how cute or charming. Love at first sight is a lie so movies can get on with the plot. Don't fall for it, because when you do you end up with a liar who is trying to kill your sister... Just saying. 

And on that happy note I sum up my crazy thoughts during this unbelievably long quarantine. Pray we can get out of the house tomorrow.... As you can surely tell, I'm going a bit crazy 😜

Until next time...