Prayers Please

My sister just called. She spoke with my dad today and he told her he is losing his house. It will be foreclosed on on August 16th. We knew he was struggling financially, he always has, but we didn't realize it had gotten this bad. The house is old and needs several repairs that are very expensive. It just got to be too much for him and he couldn't keep up. To make it worse his hours have been cut at work. There is a lot more going on with the situation than I will get into here but I know he could really use some prayers. It's been a tough year for my dad, it's been a tough year for my whole family. Thank you all! I really appreciate it!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone so please excuse the autocorrect craziness! My phone is out to get me!

Recipes

A few of you requested my crock pot recipes so here you go.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3/4 c. ketchup
• 1/2 c. white vinegar
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• salt and pepper to taste
• red pepper flakes to taste
• 1 1/2 c. chicken broth
• 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I use frozen chicken.  At my grocery store you can buy a bag of all natural (no hormone/antibiotic chicken).  I just use however many breasts are in the bag)
• 1 can pineapple chunks, drained (If the fresh pineapple looks good I prefer fresh but in the winter I get the canned)

Place Chicken in the crock pot (no need to defrost).  In a bowl mix melted butter, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper, and chicken broth.  Pour over chicken.  Cook on low for about 8ish hours.  When the chicken is done I like to pull it out and shred it with a fork.  Place the shredded chicken back in the crock pot and add the pineapple.  Cook for an additional 20 minutes.  I then serve it over rice.

Crock Pot Mac & Cheese

I found this recipe on Pinterest.  I haven't tried this one yet but my sister has made a similar one (Pau.la De.an I believe).  The recipe suggests using skim milk, and fat free condensed milk...I don't believe in fat free dairy...it just doesn't make sense to me so I will be using whole.  And like I said in my previous post.  If I have some leftover ham from my soup tonight and sandwiches on Thursday I'll be adding that to the recipe.  I also tend to serve broccoli with mac&cheese.  It just goes together if you ask me. :)
http://whiskandaprayer.blogspot.com/2010/08/magazinecookbook-monday-slow-baked-mac.html

 Crock Pot Lasagna


I also found this one on Pinterest.
http://gottalittlespacetofill.blogspot.com/2010/05/crock-pot-lasagna.html

Lentil Soup

I know this isn't a crock pot recipe but it's really good and easy.

• 1 1lb package lentils
• 2 10oz cans chicken broth
• 1/2lb ham
• 1 10oz can stewed tomatoes, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 large onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 2 c. water
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley (I often leave this out for some reason)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• black pepper to taste

Wash lentils and drain.  Coarsely chop ham and onions.  Heat olive oil in a large soup pot with lid and saute onion until golden.  Add all other ingredients and stir.  Cook covered on low heat for at least 1 hour (It's better if you go longer).

This makes quite a bit of soup.  Sometimes the leftovers thicken up a lot.  If they do you can add more broth or serve it over rice.

I can't find my Santa Fe Chicken recipe. :(  Hopefully I'll find it before I'm supposed to make it.)  But it goes something like this...

1 bag of frozen chicken
1 Can black beans drained and rinced (I actually usually do 2 cans because we really like black beans.)
1 bag frozen corn
1 can Rot.el
Salt & Pepper to taste
Red Pepper to taste
Chopped Greed Onions
Shredded Cheese

Throw chicken, beans, corn, rotel, and spices in the crock pot on low for 8ish hours.  Serve over rice topped with cheese and green onions.

Let me know if you try any of these.  I hope you like them. :)

Menu Planning

Despite the nausea setting in I have this major urge to simplify and get organized. I realize the I'm only 7 weeks along but my anxiety is in full force and the thought of 2 under 1 terrifies me. Heck, I still haven't figured out what I'm doing with Mary-Grace let alone with another one. I have to face the harsh reality that my willy nilly multiple trips each week to the grocery store is not going to be as doable. I'm not going to be able to just wing it each night when it comes to dinner so I need to start planning. I think it's definitely best for my sanity and my wallet.

Last night I sat down and planned a menu for dinner each night this week. Then I made a list of what I need to make each meal. K is going to make a spreadsheet for me with all of my recipes. Then I can sort of drag and drop onto a calendar. Eventually I plan on picking my weekly menu base on the sale adds but for now just planning and sticking to a list is my goal.

This morning I set out to shop and already spent less than I usually do. Wahoo! If I get good at it maybe I can make one for a whole month. I'd also like to work in weekend lunches. I usually make enough of whatever we eat for dinner for us to have for lunch the next day so I'm covered there.

So anyway, this is what I have for the week.

MONDAY: Spaghetti w/ ground beef and broccoli (I put the broccoli in the sauce.)

TUESDAY: Ham and Lentil Soup

WEDNESDAY: Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken w/ Rice

THURSDAY: Ham Sandwiches on Sourdough with the leftover ham from Tuesday

FRIDAY: Crock Pot Mac & Cheese (If I still have leftover ham I'll throw that in there).

SATURDAY: Crock Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken

SUNDAY: Crock Pot Lasagna

I'm not sure what veggies we'll have each night. I'll decide that based on what looks good when I go to the new little farmers market down the street from my house. I know there's a lot of pasta on the menu but it sits well in my sensitive stomach and I seem to be craving it. I'm also taking advantage of my crock pot right now. I'm exhausted beyond exhausted and it just makes my life so much easier.

If you have some good make ahead or crock pot recipes that you love I'd love for you to share them. I love trying out new recipes!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone so please excuse the autocorrect typos. My phone thinks it's smarter than me.

Quick Takes - But only 5 :)

1.  I still haven't posted Mary-Grace's 3 month post...she was 4 months yesterday.  One of these days I'll have enough braincells to get them done.  One day.

2.  I enjoyed my first ever blogger get together this week!  It was awesome!  I went to stay with Lauren for a few days and also got to hang out with Kaitlin and Awaiting.  We had a fabulous few days hanging out on the beach and eating Lauren's yummy food (she's a great cook!).  Here's a preview of our stay.  I'll post more about it later.

Mary-Grace, Abigail, and Hannah!

3.  This past Monday we celebrated 1 year since I became Catholic.  K made dinner and it was yummy!

4.  We also celebrated 1 year since we found out about our sweet Mary-Grace.  Do you remember?  We found out on the same day.  It was a bit crazy.  You can read about it here.

What a difference a year makes!

5.  We celebrated one more thing.  I have debated posting about this for fear of hurting someone.  But I've decided to go ahead with it.  I believe that things like this should always be celebrated, no matter what.  We are also celebrating the upcoming arrival of baby #2.  I found out a few weeks ago and am now about 6 weeks along.  To say that we were shocked is an understatement.  How can someone who has to work for years to get pregnant suddenly get pregnant again only 3 months postpartum?  I have no idea.  I do not pretend to know God's plan for me and for my family.  My heart is full of joy and my mind is very confused.  I believe I am due around March 11th but my chart was really wonky so I'm not 100% sure when I ovulated.  If you remember correctly Mary-Grace was born on March 21st...so that's pretty crazy.  Iri.sh tw.ins for the formerly infertile girl?  Who would have thunk it?  I have no clue how I'm going to take care of a newborn and a not quite one year old.  But I know that God in his infinite wisdom has a plan.  I will be doing a lot of praying in the next several months.  I want you ladies to know that I still pray for you daily.  I have been offering up the exhaustion for you and will now begin offering up the ick that set in this morning for you as well.  K and I are also praying for all of you every night.  I totally understand if you run screaming from my blog now.  I won't be upset with you.

To my family:  If you have somehow managed to find my blog please spill the beans.  We haven't told family yet for a reason.  We will be shortly though.  I promise.

A Letter

Dear Nana,

It has been 6 months since you left to be with Jesus.  Six months since your family gathered around you and I held your hand as you slipped from this life into the next.  Six months since we all told you it was ok to go.  Six month since I wished I could take that back.  I think back to that day every day.  I think about sitting there with you in that week leading up to January 6th.  I'm so glad I could be with you in those days before Jesus called you home.  I was in denial that this was actually it. They told me you would not get better but I didn't want to believe them.  I wanted to believe that you would, just like all of those other times.  I prayed they were wrong.  I prayed for a miracle.

I think about you every day.  Sometimes I smile and laugh.  Many days there are tears.  I miss you more than I could ever tell you.  Every day I wish I could hug you.  I think about sitting at your dining room table and just talking like we did so often.  I miss your stories, your advice, and you voice.

Thank you for being there the day that Mary-Grace was born.  I could feel you in the room.    My beautiful girl reminds me so much of you.  She has your nose and your smile.  I can't look at her and not think of you.  She is beautiful.  I wish more than anything that you could hold her.  I wanted so bad for you to meet my baby.  No one was happier for me when I found out I was pregnant than you.  I know how much you were looking forward to meeting her. 

Things just haven't been the same since you left.  You were the glue that held our family together.  I haven't been to your house much in the last 6 months.  Please let Granddad know that I'm sorry.  I want to see him but it is so hard for me to be in your house.  Every time I walk in I expect to see you sitting there at the table.  I want so bad to go in, get us both a diet coke, and sit down for one of our chats.  I miss those days so much.

Thank you for the red bird nest in my front yard.  Every time I see those red birds come out of the tree I think of you.  They are such a comfort.  When I see them it reminds me that you are watching over me.  Thank you for watching over our family.  Please continue to do so.  We need you so much.

I think about your reunion with your family in Heaven all the time.  I hope it was everything you always imagined it would be.  I found comfort in that January day remembering what you always said about Heaven.  You never were scared to go.  You knew that when you got there all of your family that went before you would be waiting for you to arrive with a big family reunion.  I hope you got to hug GG, Billy, Johnny, Big Daddy, and all of the others just as you always dreamed of.  Save a place for me.  One day, when I get there, I'm giving you a big hug.

Please continue to watch over your family.  Pray for us.  Pray for me.  Pray that one day I can think about you without the tears.  On those hard days when I feel lonely, let me know you are here beside me.  I know you are, I just need a little reminder.

I love you Nana.

At my bridal shower in Sept 2006

Tridentine Mass

K and I are going to our first Tridentine Mass.  Can I just tell you how excited I am.  Oh my gosh I'm really really excited!  We have been talking about going to one but didn't think any of the parishes around here had them.  We were talking to one of K's aunts a few weeks ago and she told us there is one at a parish about 45 minutes north of here.  Well, she emailed us today and we are all going on July 10th.

Like I said, I'm super excited, but I'm also a bit nervous.  I know it's going to be very different from what I am used to.  Anything I should know before going.  I've researched but I'd like to hear from you ladies.  Can you give me an idea of what to expect or anything I need to know before going?

Thank you, Thank you!

Quick Takes

1. My niece Olivia is out of the NICU!  She's actually been home for a week now.  I did a post all about it from a blogger app on my phone but I guess it didn't post.  Weird!  Thank you all for all of your prayers.  She is doing wonderful and my sister is so happy to have her home.  Olivia's big brothers are pretty happy to have her home too! :)

2.  I need to post MG's 3 month post.  She was 3 months on Tuesday.  I can't seem to get my thoughts together to post it.  I feel like I'm always so behind on them.  I tend to get pretty emotional writing them...that probably has something to do with it.

3.  Last Thursday (June 16th) my wonderful husband turned 30!  I can't believe we are that old now.  Well I'm not that old.  I still have a year and a half to be that old. :)  He was only 19 when we met.  It's just crazy to me that we've been together that long.  He requested his favorite meal (pineapple fried rice with chicken) which I made...and totally ruined.  I never ruin meals.  NEVER!  I don't have many talents, but I can cook.  I'm not sure what went wrong with this.  He ate it and kept telling me it was good but I ate it too and it wasn't.  I felt terrible.  We had planned on taking MG on a short weekend getaway to celebrate but it's not looking like it's going to pan out.  I'm working on trying to throw together a little surprise get together for him next Friday.  I hope it all works out.  I really want to do something special for him.

This is a little blurry (iphone pic) but MG wanted to tell daddy happy birthday. :)

 4.  My best friend is finally an American citizen!  She has lived here for 22 years and just finally took the test.  Wahoo!  She's being sworn in this upcoming Thursday and we will be having a "Tacky Red, White, and Blue" party for her the following Saturday.  Awesome!  We are all supposed to dress obnoxiously patriotic.  I can't wait!  It should be so much fun!

Here S is with MG at the hospital.

5.  I've decided my boobs are going to be at my knees in a few years.  Haha!  I can't believe I just posted that on the internet.  Since MG came along I have given up on wearing bras.  I've been wearing nursing tanks which have those built in bra things but that can't be enough support.  I have one nursing bra but I hate it.  I only wear it when my tanks are all dirty.  I've been searching all over creation for a comfortable nursing bra that isn't a bazillion dollars and can't find one.  I hate wires so that's my biggest problem.  I'm probably going to regret this in a few years.

6.  We went to K's best friend's little girl's 2nd birthday party 2 weeks ago.  While we were there they announced that they are expecting baby number 2.  I wasn't prepared for the feelings that overcame me.  I was very shocked at how jealous I got.  I told K about it when we left and he said he felt the same way.  Thinking back over the day I think a few factors played into these feelings.  One is that they perfectly planned their first child and then waited the expected 2 years and perfectly planned their 2nd child.  Apparently she got pregnant first month trying.  The kicker, her husband is a pilot so he is gone all the time.  You would think that the timing would just make that hard.  Then to make the day more fun they announced that if it was a boy they were done.  Isn't that perfect.  Another one of K's friend's wife is also pregnant with number 2 and she said after this one they are done.  Another couple there who has 2 said they are done.  Numerous people asked us if we are going to be having more and how many.  When we said we hope so and however many we are blessed with we were looked at like complete crazies.  The kicker...K's best friend and the couple that already has 2 are all Catholic.  And what's even more fun is that the wife of the couple with 2 kids said she loves being pregnant but they just can't afford more so she's thinking about being a surrogate.  It just made me so sad at how easy it is for these couples and yet how they don't view that as a gift.  I know that I am so blessed to have my little girl but I don't think you can just turn off the infertile mindset.  I thought that when I got pregnant all of the wounds would just magically be healed.  So not true.  So not true.

7.  I've got to figure out a way to make some friends.  I had a bit of a nervous breakdown this week complete with big time sobbing.  Sure, I have friends, not a lot but a handful of really good ones.  The problem, they all work.  The days are starting to get really lonely.  Last year when I would get lonely I would head over to my Nana's house.  Well, I can't do that anymore.  I told K that it's hard to go all day and not talk to anyone day after day after day.  I feel terrible for feeling this way.  I have everything I ever wanted.  My dream was to be a stay at home mom.  So why can't I just embrace it?  I wasn't prepared for the loneliness.  I'm pretty shy so I struggle making friends always have.  My two best friends are from high school so it was easier.  I don't even know where to begin and how to do it.  I feel like such a dork even saying that.  I've been looking for mommy groups in my area but can't seem to find them.  I'd really like to make some Catholic friends too.  My church has a few things but they are more for moms of toddlers.  K thinks I should look into them anyway.  Any suggestions?  I told him I just need to move all of you down to Florida.  He laughed at me. :)

Have a lovely lovely weekend lovely ladies!