Snowflakes are falling today...

I arrived home lastnight from our "vacation". The quotes are because....

1) Everyone got the flu - minus me and Ava. So we really didn't do anything.

2) All the delicious Thanksgiving food never even got to be leftovers because of how sick everyone was...and we feared contamination.

2) Ava was a LOT of work seeing how I was a single parent, basically, the entire week - while Brad recovered.

I'm not in a funk, really. Just stating the facts. But, it was nice to enjoy sitting in shorts on the porch swing in 80 degree weather. And it's always nice to be with family you don't often see. {even if they were all puking}

Ava has been waking up XTREMELY early...she woke up shortly after 6am every day in FL due to the bright sun. But, here, I don't know what her excuse is. She's back in her normal bed, semi-normal routine with just us here... {sigh} ok, maybe I am in a little bit of funk. I'm tired.

Let me refocus here.

SNOW is falling. Keep in mind it's tiny...and I'm probably the only one who can actually see it...but, it is. I have Christmas music on and have started pulling out the bins of Christmas decor. It will be a good day. I want it to be a good day. This morning I grinded and brewed my first pot of Christmas coffee... complete with Peppermint Mocha creamer. If you haven't heard me rave on and on about this specific coffee... here's a quick promo:

Santa's White Christmas Blend from Barnies Coffee is amazing. It's a flavored coffee that just tastes like Christmas goodies. The beans are white because of the flavor coating... yum. It makes your home smell amazing while its brewing - and it actually tastes like what it smells like. It's my fave. And since we were just blocks from an actual Barnies... could not resist! You can order online, too. Just click the link.

I wish I could sit around in some sweat pants today, sip my decaf and just listen to music. I'm severely tempted, actually. Too bad I have a jillion things on my list to get done... and a little girl that has now disappeared from my side and is no doubt eating toothpaste or scouting out my chocolate stash. Let it snow...

Some SWEET recipes...no, really.

Two of my favorite Thanksgiving/Fall time Yummy's are: Peanut Butter Pumpkin Bread & Sweet Potato Crisp. I made both of them this weekend... and have plenty of leftovers to munch on til we head to Florida! {oh wait, that's tomorrow!} :) I'm sharing these recipes with you because 1) They are super easy 2) Always a crowd pleaser.

So, if you are looking for something sweet and new for your Thanksgiving table - here you go!

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Bread

{makes 2 HUGE loaves}

3 c. sugar

4 eggs
3/4 c. water

3 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. nutmeg

15oz canned pumpkin

1 c. oil {I use canola}

2/3 c. peanut butter

2 t. baking soda

1 t. cinnamon

1) In mixing bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil, water, and peanut butter; beat well. Combine the dry ingredients and add to pumpkin mix; mix well.

2) Pour into 2 greased 9x5 pans. Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes. Cool 10 mins in pans, then transfer to wire racks.

*Note: I usually end up baking several minutes beyond the recommended cook time - it's a super dense bread. I test by sticking a knife in and keep baking until it comes out dry.

Sweet Potato Crisp

8 oz. Cream cheese

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 t. cinnamon

1/2 c. dried cranberries

2 T. brown sugar

3 c. Honey Bunches of Oats cereal

2 lbs Sweet Potatoes, peeled, cooked and mashed
OR 40 oz can.

1 c. chopped apple

3 T. flour

3 T. butter

1) Preheat oven to 350. Beat cream cheese, potatoes, 1/4 c. brown sugar and cinnamon with mixer on medium speed until blended. Spoon into 2 qt. baking dish; top with apples and cranberries.

2) Mix flour and 2 T. brown sugar in large bowl; cut in butter until resembles course crumbs. Stir in cereal and then sprinkle over fruit.

3) Bake 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

*Note: I used the 40 oz can of yams, generic cereal and Granny Smith apples and think that's the best combo! The flour, butter and cereal crumble on top are great...but, maybe don't need so much flour...in my opinion.

Are you hungry now? Yum! It's only 9am and I want those now... for lunch! :)

I think those two items will always be in our Fall/Thanksgiving menu somehow. I heart them.

Well, as I mentioned before, we are headed out to FL tomorrow for the week and so looking forward to some family time. And, oh yea.... the low 80 degree temps! :)

Have a wonderful, blessed, Thankful, Thanksgiving and may you and your families be blessed! And I'll leave you now with a cute little quote I read this morning that made me chuckle... yes, chuckle. I don't have wrinkles...Yet, but... the fact still remains...

"There is always a lot to be thankful for if you take the time to look for it. Right now, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt."

-Barbara Johnson

.:Tradition:.

On Tuesday I attended a "Keeping the Holy in the Holidays" ladies tea party at my church. It was the last day of our bible study and our leader had this great idea to end on a holiday note! Right up my alley! We enjoyed delish treats, Coldstone hot cocoa, birthday cake {Happy Birthday Jesus birthday cake...} and great conversation. But maybe my favorite part was when each woman shared their family traditions. It always strikes a cord with me when I hear that word, Tradition, because... I feel like Brad and I haven't made great strides at creating our own, and I SO desire too. I want to raise our children to treasure holidays, special days and even normal days by the way we magnify God in how we celebrate life. I heard tons of great ideas: Jesus Tree, serving at homeless shelters, operation Christmas Child, advent wreaths, PJ's on Christmas eve, bible studies, etc.

I guess my definition of what tradition is needed some reviewing.

During one of the games there was a prize up for grabs. And wouldn't you know it... I won. I opened it up to reveal Noel Piper's book - "Treasuring God in our Traditions", something that was on my Amazon "wish list" but I just hadn't bought it yet. SCORE! I'm on day #3 of reading it and so far.... soooo good. I've been challenged on my "why" to want to set traditions. I've been intrigued by hearing her family's stories and most of all inspired by the Word of God and what it has to say about traditions. Even today reading about King Josiah was so challenging... good stuff! I'm eager to finish the book and then have some good conversations with Brad about what we are doing. What we NEED to do.

Anyone else read this book? Have any good thoughts on traditions - the "why's" and "what for's"?

...so, yea, our life got a little more exciting...

Blah, Blah, Blah... I cannot think of an interesting enough opener for my BIG news... so rather then trying to be creative I'm just gonna blurt it out!

WE GOT A VAN!!! God has provided for us in a HUGE way and I am so very thankful!

A 2005 Chevrolet Uplander - it's now sitting in our driveway. The heat works. All the windows open {that should}, and I actually get radio stations... I'm just still kind of not believing it! I keep peeking out my kitchen door at it, "yep, still there". I'm a nerd like that. This van is such a blessing to this momma's heart as every time I stepped on the brake peddle of our current car that moaning, creeeeking sound would start. "God, we cannot afford a new car...". "Lord, how can we make it through another winter with this vehicle...?". He always knows and always has an answer. Though it may not be in our timing. ;) Needless to say I'm BLOWN away by the timing of this one!

So, wanna see it? Ok. And, please note how excited our little lady is... she thinks she's the driver.

We took a ride downtown in the van this morning to do the title transfer and all of that - and still have a few more paper work things to do later this morning {working with Brad's schedule}. But we did get celebratory doughnuts and I did really enjoy feeling heat while in a car. Not to mention the fact that if we wanted to... we could pop in a DVD and watch it...right in the van. We are rejoicing in God's awesome provision! Thanking him for where He has in life right now and how He continues to show Himself faithful time and again. Praise the Lord!

A busy weekend

We had so much going on this last week/weekend. I went to bed and crashed hard every night. I love those kinds of days...where you feel like things were accomplished and you know your family enjoyed something. :) Love 'em. I had a random burst of energy this past week which was great for getting so many little things done. Hoping those little bursts come every few weeks :)

But, today I'm back to exhausted - and, really should be napping as Ava naps. Right after I devour whatever I can find in the fridge - lethal combination of hormones this week!

Rather then go into every little detail I thought it might be fun to do a week/weekend update picture style.

Happy 27th Birthday to my handsome Hubs! This included a lovely date night dinner at
Cafe Di Scala! Yum!

A trip to the mall to spend Daddy's b-day money! Somehow we always get sucked into this kid trap :) But it was followed by some killer Hyvee chinese...so, momma was thrilled!

Hubs and Ava were such great helpers, too. They cleaned all the floors for all the company we had over this weekend!

Happy Monday!

Let me introduce you...

This was baby Pausley #2 {yes, I've got to come up with something other then that to call him/her}

at our 8.5 week appointment a while back. The moment I saw that little shadow-like picture show up on the ultrasound I had to fight to hold back the warm tears starting to form. Every baby is a miracle - pure and simple. And, since losing a precious baby prior to having Ava - I acknowledge that more and more. What a gift to get to live in this country where we can gaze at our unborn children - watch them wiggle and turn, measure them, observe them... I'm still blown away at every one of these ultrasounds.

Yesterday we went in for our 12.5 week appointment. I had trouble sleeping the entire night prior, as if it were the night before Christmas and I was 7 again, only...not. Doubts and fears plagued me... will there be a heartbeat? Can I handle another loss? What if they find something wrong? Am I gaining too much weight? And the list goes on... I don't consider myself to be a worry-er, so it was strange having all these thoughts and fears. I know it's a spiritual battle I fight each time I'm pregnant. And, I'm asking God for victory to take captive my thoughts and HE will help me...always does.

Anyway, the appointment went very well. My weight was down - on account of being SO sick for so long - and my heartbeat/blood pressure was great and the best was... after just a few seconds hearing that amazing little, "bump, bump, bump" from the doppler. Our baby was alive and doing great! Praise the Lord! And yet... we would praise Him even if the doppler was silent.

So, sometime in the middle of May {Lord Willing} we will welcome this little person into our home and life. Though, as any mommy understands, this child has already found a home in my heart. :) I'm eager to see what God has in store for us as a family of 4 - the things we need to learn and areas we need to grow. I'm eager to watch Ava blossom as a big sister. I'm eager to see Brad with a newborn again. I'm eager to wear maternity pants without shame... LOL.

We have another appointment in 4 weeks - which, always feels like half an eternity. But, until then we'll keep praising God for life and wait with anticipation at what He's going to do! And then soon after that we'll have another ultrasound to see if baby is a SHE or HE. We are thrilled! I found these awesome pics online of what baby would look like in the womb today... how can people doubt a God after seeing things like this?

Fall, Fall, Fall... fare and fotos {pardon the alliteration}

Is it Autumn? Because... being outside yesterday felt more like late May or even a July night. Not that I'm complaning - just sayin'. It's terribly difficult to listen to Christmas music and make paper turkeys when the sun is beating in on your dining room table and every window in the house is open. Again, not complaining.

Ava is loving so much warmth because it means more outside time, which, is good for both of us. If I can manage just to get myself together and GO. ;) Yesterday we raked leaves, make piles to jump in, played babies and did laps in our yard. She is precious!

My favorite thing about Ava right now is listening to her try and talk. She is constantly jabbering something - I can make out most of it, but sometimes its just down right funny to hear her ramble in a language only she knows. Trying to say our big words is tough I suppose.

Now onto the fall fare. Lastnight I made two delish recipes that went so well together. I mentioned it the other day on FB and several people asked for the recipes, so, here they are - enjoy! It's a wonderful fall meal :)

Pork chops w/ Spicy Orange Glaze

4 bone-in rib or center cut pork chops, 1/2 in. thick

1 t. plus 1 T. olive oil

salt and pepper

1 t. cumin

1/2 t. sugar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/8 t. red pepper flakes

3/4 c. orange juice

1) Rub each chop with 1/4 t. oil and sprinkle with salt, (I use kosher) pepper and cumin. Sprinkle one side of each cop with 1/8 t. sugar.

2) Place chops, sugar side down, in large nonstick skillet and press meat into pan. Cook, without moving, over med. heat until lightly browned, 6-9 minutes. Turn chops, reduce heat to low, cover and cook additional 3-6 minutes. Transfer chops to platter, tent with foil, and let rest while making sauce.

3) Add remaining oil, garlic and pepper flakes to empty pan and cook over med heat until fragrant, about 30 secs. Add juice and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Tip accumulated chop juices from platter into skillet. Cook 1 minute. Serve over chops.

Twice - Baked Sweet Potatoes

2 Lg. sweet potatoes

2 T. Milk

1/4 t. cinnamon

2 oz. cream cheese, cubed

1 T. brown sugar

1/4 c. pecan pieces

1) Heat oven to 425. Cut potatoes lengthwise in half, place cut side down on foil lined pan. Bake 30-35 minutes.

2) Scoop out centers into a bowl, add cream cheese, milk, sugar and cinnamon to pototoes and mash.

3) Spoon mix back into shells; top with nuts. Bake 8 minutes.

Yum! I especially loved the baked pecan taste! Happy November!