One Year of House-itude

One year ago today, we first toured a house and decided it was the one for us.  Happy one year, house! We've had some ups (decorating, not sharing walls with neighbors) and some downs (stinky toilets and roaches... blech!), but we still think we made the right decision.

You can read about our whirlwind journey from the house going on the market to becoming our hour here.

A Mother's Prayers

 Lilhimself,

There's so much I want for your life.  But as I pray for you, these three things keep coming to mind.

I pray you know love.

Your mother and father were both blessed to grow up in loving families.  Our parents were both high school sweethearts and are still married to each other.  They've been through ups and downs, celebrations and grief, but they've stuck with each other through it all.  I pray that you first learn love from seeing how much your mother and father love each other.  We're best friends, and we will try to be a united front when it comes to loving and raising you.

I pray you understand how much we love you.  You were wanted and prayed for long before you became part of our lives.  Your mama talked to you in her belly before she was 100% sure you were there (but you were...).  Your daddy became a softy as soon as he found out about you.  We're so excited to meet you and learn just how much we can love someone we just met.  I pray that over the years, as we have our arguments ("No, you cannot get a pet snake."  "No, you are not leaving the house wearing that."  "No, you cannot stay out til midnight") you realize we're not just old fuddy duddies or killjoys, but that we do it because we love you and want to protect you.  And because snakes are icky.

I pray that you learn how to love others, that you learn at an early age that it's nice to share, good to do kind deeds, and that if it's not nice, we probably shouldn't say it.  I pray that you love your cousins, your siblings (if you have them some day), and your friends.  I pray that you love strangers enough to greet them with a smile and your classmates enough to say "good morning" to them.  I pray that people see your loving nature, and see God through your loving nature.

"By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." -- John 13:35



I pray you grow strong in your faith.

I pray that you believe in God, believe in Jesus, and are a Christian for your whole life.  I don't want you to be a Christian because your mom and dad are, but because you study the Bible and God reveals Himself to you in a way that strengthens your faith and erases your doubts.

I pray that you believe at a young age and grow strong in your faith, so that you can avoid many temptations of the world.  Be able to explain your faith and stand strong in your faith, so you do not go astray when you are in college and away from our Christian home.

I pray that you find God's purpose for you life.  Find your passions, pursue them, and use your talents to make a difference in this world.

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect."  --1 Peter 3:15



I pray you have a thirst for knowledge.

I pray that you find this new world fascinating and soak it all in.  Explore, ask questions (I'll try not to get exasperated when the question is "why?" a million times a day), be curious.  Don't take things at face value or blindly accept them as truth.  Test them, try them, learn them from experience, not simply as facts.

Value education.  Your mom and dad both do, and we want the best for you.  You will be given a free, public education for years.  While it may not be a perfect system, take advantage of it, learn from it, and grow from it.  Try band.  Try sports.  Try art or drama.  Take advantage of the fact that it is free and learn who you are and who you want to be before going to college (where, trust me, it isn't free!)

Whenever you have all the degrees you desire, don't stop learning.  The world has infinite information to share with you, so I pray you never lose that curiosity.

"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." -- Proverbs 18:15




There's so much out of life we want for you.  For now, we want you to continue to grow healthy and strong. As an infant, we want you to be a big sleeper (please!) and be safe.  We want you to have an educational and loving daycare you look forward to going to every day, so your mama doesn't feel guilty about spending her day with 90 parents' babies instead of her own baby.  We want you to grow up slowly so we can enjoy every stage of your life.  We want to watch you transform into a strong man who knows how to change a tire, mow the lawn, and pursue your future wife like a gentleman.  Oh, so many things we want for you.  For now, we'll stick with these three...

3 Months!

Lilhimself is due in exactly three months!  I can't believe it.

It feels like just yesterday I was talking to my then-flat belly, asking if anybody was in there.  Now, the world can tell there's someone in there, and he's doing his best to make his presence known on a regular basis, kicking and who knows what in there.  Seriously, I think he's dancing or something, because sometimes it feels like he has multiple limbs going at one time.

Lilhimself, we're getting so excited to meet you in person.  See you in about three months!

There's No Hope

On our shopping trip, Kara said to me, "Don't make your kid a nerd!"  Sorry Kara, but with our genes, I don't know how much hope Lilhimself has.  Our friends and families certainly aren't helping.

Aunts Jill and Jodi got him periodic table blocks and this onesie so he can look just like his dad:

Jason's coworker had the same thought and bought him this onesie:

Nope, there's no hope for my little geek-in-training.  And you know what?  I'm totally ok with that.  His parents are some of the coolest geeks ever!

Spoiled

Jill came into town last week for a workshop in Durham and stayed with us.  During that time, she spoiled me rotten!

First of all, she came bearing gifts.  Yes, technically they were for the baby, but really, look at them and tell me they're not for me...

I have to admit, I squealed a bit when I saw the elemental blocks.  And I may be squealing a bit as I write this... :)


Then, Jill requested that we eat at Relish.  Jason and I had eaten there only once before on Valentine's Day and were eager to try it again.

The next day, she took me to a nail salon and treated me to a manicure and pedicure.  Ahhhhhh............

Oh, did I mention she picked up cupcakes?  Jill and Kara are throwing me a baby shower this summer and Jill wanted to try out a cupcake place while in town.  Jill, Jason, and I sat down and had our own little cake tasting after dinner on Tuesday.  Yum!




Yep, I'm spoiled rotten.

Out with the Girls

A few weeks ago, Kara requested a "shopping trip."  I headed to Greenville early on a Saturday to meet up with Kara, Addison, and Mom for a marathon of shopping, walking, and gabbing.

We started at Babies R Us/Toys R Us.  I had wanted Kara and Mom's opinions on what to register for and what was a waste of time.  As we walked around the store, Addison kept saying, "Mama!  I think Puddintang would like that!"  "Mama, ooh, I think Puddintang would like that!"  I told Kara thank goodness Addison doesn't have a credit card yet!  My kid would have gone home with a store's worth of merchandise!

After Babies R Us, we headed to Olive Garden for breadsticks and salad (and soup, but honestly, I just go for the breadsticks and salad.  Yummy!).

Then, we headed to the mall.  I didn't really have a lot to buy (I just needed a khaki skirt and a pair of jeans), but Kara was a woman on a mission!  Mom and I took turns keeping the little one occupied and in a good mood while her Mama picked up a new purse, some cute new work and casual clothes (seriously jealous of the cobalt blue shorts, Kara), and some bathing suits for Addison.

Addison was fading fast, so we relaxed for a while at the food court while Kara checked out NY&Co.

Hmm, I think someone was ready for nap time.

Kara and I went to Shoe Carnival and Target while Grandma (or "Andma," as Addi says it) and Addison took naps in the car.  It was quite a day, but I had a really good time hanging out with some of my favorite girls (and getting a bit of loot myself!).

Puddintang

Alternate titles for today: Puddintane, Puddantang, or Puddintame.  I never thought to ask her to spell it.

About a month after I told my family we were having a baby, I got a phone call from Kara.  When I answered it, instead of Kara on the phone, it was Addison.

Addison: "You're going to have a baby at your house!"

Me:  "That's right!"

Kara: (in the background) "What's she going to have, Addison?"

Addison: "You're going to have a little boy!"

Kara (in the background) "And what's his name going to be?"

Addison: "PUDDINTANG!"




Months later, Addison changed her mind and said I was going to have a little girl.  This surprised Kara (I guess Addison had been pretty adamant about me having a boy except for this one time).

Kara: "Well, what's the little girl's name going to be?"

Addison: "PUDDINTANG!"



Good to know it's a unisex name. :)

Saving a "Cluck"

Today's post is about that unsung hero of the grocery store: the rotisserie chicken.  

There are few better ways to stretch a buck than to buy one of these guys.  I've bought them from the deli/bakery sections of both Lowes Food and Kroger, so I'm assuming most places have them.  Ranging from $6-8, they're more expensive than buying a whole chicken and cooking it yourself, but I'm willing to compromise a few dollars for a lot less effort and time.

And I'm not the only one who feels this way.  Here's an article from a blog Jason reads, The Art of Manliness, sharing all the many uses for a rotisserie chicken.  I've done all kinds of things with rotisseries.  Usually, it begins with eating the chicken as-is on grocery store night and then using the leftovers in a variety of ways.  This past time, I bought the chicken and disassembled and chopped it immediately after I got home from the grocery store.

Here's the meals this past chicken made.  Note, my purpose is not to share my superawesome recipes, but to show one ingredient's versatility.

Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients: shredded chicken, salsa, sriracha, cumin, garlic powder, tortillas, shredded cheese
Total time: 5 minutes

Jason and I eat some sort of Mexican nearly every week.  On grocery store night night, I took some chopped chicken and tossed it in a bit of salsa, sriracha, cumin (probably my favorite spice), and garlic powder (probably my second-favorite) in a bowl.  Heat tortillas for about 30 seconds in a dry skillet, then add the chicken combo and shredded cheese of your liking.  Top with another tortilla (Jason's quesadilla) or fold original tortilla in half (my quesadilla), and boom.  Dinner's ready before you even know it!

Asian Chicken Salad
Ingredients: chopped chicken, plain Greek yogurt, Asian sesame dressing, shredded carrots,  can of sliced water chestnuts, mukimame, salt, garlic powder, red pepper flakes
Total time: 10 min (best if allowed to chill overnight)

This is actually why I bought the chicken this week.  I wanted a quick, easy, semi-healthy lunch and found this recipe online.  Whisk together Greek yogurt and Asian dressing (sorry no exact amounts... I didn't know I was going to blog about it until afterwards) in a bowl.  Add chicken, carrots, water chestnuts, and mukimame.  Season to taste with salt, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.  Keep in mind that flavors will intensify after a night in the fridge.

No idea what mukimame is?  It's edimame (soybeans) that are out of their pods.  We're in love!  Jason likes them especially for work because they're tasty, superhealthy (fat-free source of protein), and very poppable.

Frozen mukimame -- just pop in microwave for a few minutes and season with salt!

This recipe needs some tweaking, but it served as several tasty lunches this week with Ritz crackers.  Plus, as much as I love chicken salad, it's easy to get in a rut with traditional ones.  This was a nice change in flavor.

Greek Wrap
Ingredients: chopped chicken, diced cucumber and diced (seeded) tomato, Greek yogurt, dill, salt, tortilla, other wrap ingredients (such as cheese or lettuce)
Total time: 10 min

I had some leftover Greek yogurt, so I decided to make one of my favorite lunches.  The night before, dice a seeded tomato (or use halved grape tomatoes) and a cucumber.  Season liberally with salt and dill.  The next day, drain any juice in the mixture (you want it to be as dry as possible).  Stir in Greek yogurt.  Add mixture, chicken, and any other wrap ingredients you'd like onto a tortilla.  Yum!




Stuck in a food rut?  Busy week ahead where lengthy meal preps are an impossibility?  Consider purchasing a rotisserie chicken.

Philippians 4

I have a hard time with favorites.  I have a favorite color (orange) and a favorite movie (Princess Bride), but beyond that?  How could I ever pick one food to say I like more than any other food?  How could I say one song is more awesome than all the other ones I love?  I like too many things to say something is my "favorite."

That said, my hands-down favorite book in the Bible is Philippians.  Paul is succinct (which can't be said for all of his letters!), lays out his own testimony (which I consider very similar to mine... esteemed by the world's standards, but headed in the wrong direction only to be called to lay down those things to follow Christ), and has such quotable verses.

My all-time favorite verse in the Bible is the 4th verse --
"Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I will say, rejoice!"

Though that's my favorite verse, I find myself quoting verses 6&7 more often --
"Be anxious for nothing.  But by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."



I am a high-strung person.  The month of May has been overwhelming me recently between teaching, end-of -year paperwork, student drama (a student moving, another student refuses to come to school and is suspended when she's here, bullying that was happening right under my nose), social engagements, and not being able to do as much as I used to (my back gives out for the day around 3:30, so staying late to get stuff done is nearly impossible).

This morning, God and I had some quality time calming me down with Philippians 4:6-7 and "It is Well with My Soul" on the radio.  When I got to school, I had a card in my mailbox from the girl who's been dealing with bullying.  It said:

"Dear Mrs. Self, you are a great teacher and have been a great support system when I was in need.  You are going to be a wonderful mother because you're a wonderful teacher and person.  Thanks for everything."

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and she had written it for an assignment (I saw other teachers had cards in their boxes as well).  I have not been feeling underappreciated, but I have been feeling stressed.  This card was just what I needed (and I'm not ashamed to say the pregnancy hormones made me tear up a bit when I read it) to help me focus on what's important about my job and to relax about the less important things.

I pray that God's peace fills you today with whatever life is trying to throw at you.

24 Weeks

I can't believe I've been pregnant for 6 months now!  It seems like just yesterday I was talking to my belly, asking if there was anyone inside yet.  Now, there's no hiding my bump from the world!

How far along? 24 weeks
Baby size? Approximately 10.5" long and the size of a cantaloupe
Maternity clothes?  I'm still wearing some "normal" shirts and elastic-banded skirts.  Otherwise, I'm into the maternity clothes full force.  I mostly live in skirts and dresses, though the recent weather makes this a bit chilly.  After a MONTH without wearing jeans, I finally broke down and bought myself a pair of maternity jeans this weekend.  I have to say, I'm kinda loving maternity clothes.  It's like Christmas and I have this whole new (free! thanks to the generosity of some moms) wardrobe to play in.
Sleep?  Yes, please!  Nothing new here.  I sleep through most nights now without having to get up.  When I do have to get up, I've learned to navigate in the dark.  This bodes well for midnight (and 1am and 2am and 3am...) feedings.
Best Moment this Week?  Lilhimself has been subtle and sporadic with kicking.  That said, last week, he was so kicky that you could actually SEE my belly moving!  This made Jason (who hasn't gotten to feel a lot of kicks) very excited.
Miss Anything?  I miss being comfortable.  I also really missed jeans until this weekend.
Movement?  Kicky on occasion.  He seems to go in spurts.
Food Cravings? Still just liking anything and everything.
Anything Making me Queasy/Sick? Nope.
Gender? still a little boy
Symptoms?  Pretty bad back pain.  I'm doing stretches, using a heating pad, and sprawling out on an exercise ball to help it, but it's kinda lousy.  Then again, since this is my ONLY symptom, I'm not going to complain.
Wedding Rings on or off?  Still on.  I haven't noticed any swelling yet (except my belly, of course!)
Mood?  Cranky when my back hurts.  Otherwise, I still feel like "me."
Looking forward to?  Decorating the nursery, registering for a load of baby stuff, and having baby showers!

Deck Living

I mentioned recently that we had just purchased a new set of deck furniture (see story here).  Well, last Saturday, we finally got a chance to use it!

Jason had been working out in the yard cutting down trees and mowing, while I was cleaning up inside.  I decided it would be perfect to eat lunch outside and enjoy the day.

New Furniture:

Lunch:

Since it was a nice, warm day, I decided to go with a cold lunch -- toasted bread, apples, assorted cheeses (havarti with dill, gouda, smoked cheddar), salami, olive oil/balsamic vinegar dip, brown mustard, and dried cranberries.  Before anyone says anything, the salami was just for Jason (it's on my no-no list, *sigh*).  Odd assortment, but it was actually pretty yummy!

Hear Him Roar

He is Jason:

He has a chainsaw:

He cuts down big trees:

And chops up the trees... and stacks them on our ever-growing wood pile... and mows the grass... and blows the leaves... and is straight-up awesome.