Has this ever happened to you....

I had a mommy brain moment this morning. They used to be pregnancy moments but have transfered into "I have three little ones under four and each have taken a part of my brain" moments. A guy called this morning to schedule a life insurance appointment with Chris and I. He asks for our address and I pause and say "464, no wait it's 494..." he writes it down and as he asks some more questions I go and get my liscense to confirm and have to go back and say "uh sir, sorry, my address is 484 " good thing this wasn't an emergency :-)

*don't worry mom I used fake number to protect my privacy!

A must try recipe

You don't see me posting recipes on here often... or ever. My husband likes what he likes and only occasionally does trying something new bless him. Usually the recipe would need to fall into a meat or pasta catergory. Even better if it's both. However, when I saw this recipe from on Megan's blog I knew it would be a winner! We LOVE this meal! We tried it a few weeks ago and then made it again for some friends earlier in the week. So for those of you who haven't seen this recipe yet here it is! Give it a try this weekend. In AZ it's perfect grilling weather!

*side note- we found the gravy to be more of a dipping sauce...not a drench all over your meal type. Just our preference though.

BOURBON & BROWN SUGAR FLANK STEAK
w. GARLIC CHIVE MASHED POTATOES (Cooking Light magazine)

STEAK:
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. minced green onions
1/4 c. bourbon
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 (2 lb) flank steak,
cooking spray
1/2 tsp. Cornstarch

To prepare steak, combine first 7 ingredients in a large Ziploc bag; add steak.
Seal and marinate in refrigerator 8 hours or overnight, turning bag occasionally.
Remove steak from bag; reserving marinade.
Broil or Grill steak, about 5 minutes each side. Cut diagonally across grain.
Combine marinade and cornstarch in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

GARLIC CHIVE MASHED POTATOES:
3 lb. Sm. Red potatoes
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 c. sour cream
1/3 c. 2% milk
2 1/2 Tbsp. Butter
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1/4 c. chopped fresh chives

Place potatoes and garlic in a large pot, cover with water.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Return potatoes and garlic to pan and place over medium heat.
Add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, and 1/4 tsp. Pepper.
Mash potato mixture to desired consistency with a potato masher. Stir in chives.

Serve 2-3 steak slices with mound of potatoes, and drizzle all with gravy. Serves 6-8 people.

Boy + Rain = Mess

I made the mistake of letting Trevor go out back after lunch yesterday forgetting that it had rained early that morning. AZ weather will do that to you. It'll rain for five mintues then back to clear blue skies five later! I came out to check on Trevor and he had, not suprisingly, found a huge pile of mud and was eating it. The concerning thing was he didn't seem to care that he was eating mud...

Continually Come

I read Psalm 71 & 73 this morning during my devotional. Both Psalms had the word continually in them.

Ps 71:3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come
Ps 73:23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel.

I was struck this morning by that word and very much aware of how I continually need God and his strength and wisdom. It's so much more than just meeting with him in the morning. I need him to continually meet me throughout the day. He's strength is there when it's 4:45am and Trevor decides he is ready for the day. He's strength continues to be there when it's after breakfast and the kids begin to bicker and fight, he's wisdom continues to be there when I need help discerning the heart of my child and again he is my refuge when I lack energy in the afternoon and sleep is still far off. I am so thankful for this truth! May you turn to God continually today to meet you in whatever need you have!

Rylee- 6 month update

Rylee turned six months this weekend. Wow how time flies! She is such a sweet little girl and continues to be an amazing sleeper (thank you Lord!). In the past two weeks she has also learned to crawl. It's not the normal on both hands and knees crawl yet, although she's close. It's more like an army crawl, knees go up then she lunges forward, knees up, forward etc. Bottom line, she's mobile. So much for my "let's not put her on the floor till five months" tatic to keep her from crawling early :-) Also, as of this weekend, she was officially weaned. It's the earliest I've weaned any of my kids but Chris and I both felt it was time. I have been nursing and or pregnant for 2 yrs and 9 months straight. Now I don't say that to complain, it's been my joy to carry and feed these kids! That being said it is nice to be done for a little while- plus there is a whole wardrobe in my closet that will be opening back up to me!

Rylee was placed by the pink pillow and I come back out to find her over by Trevor...


What was it that made her pass all the other toys and head off in this direction?


On no, another train lover! Trevor wasn't too happy when he saw that Rylee was eating one of his trains... so it begins!

I've had fun dressing the girls in matching clothes. Taylor loves it!

Trevor's Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Trevor's birthday. In keeping with tradition he awoke to balloons. Awaking to balloons in your room on your birthday is something my parents started when my brother and I were young. I loved that as a kid, and even now I sometimes secretly wish for balloons on my birthday:-) So we strayed a little from the tradition this time and put balloons on the rug instead of his room. There is enough things that seem to wake him up early we didn't want to give him one more thing to wake up and get out of bed for. Later on we packed up and went to the park for some pizza and cake. We were joined by our friends and family.

Here are Trevor's friends! They each were given a thomas the train sippy cup and bubbles as party favors.

Isn't this the cutest train cake! Our friend and sometimes babysitter Denise, made it for Trevor! It was so hard keeping him from digging his hands into it. I finally put it in our car until it was time to eat.
>


My parents got this motorized train set for Trevor. When we were cleaning up Papa D set it up for him and he just sat for 10-15 minutes in awe of it.


Rylee and Zoe, who are one day apart, chilled together in the double stroller


Here are my two cute pregnant friends! Lory, holding Rylee, is due any day now and my other friend Tiffany is due in a few weeks. Both are having future girl friends for Rylee!


My parents with Trevor


Chris' Mom with Trev


Trevor with his Thomas the Train backpack and train book

Birthday Boy

My little man Trevor turns 2 today. Although it feels like we've had a two year old for awhile, now it's official. I never thought having a little boy could be so much fun. He is ALL boy. Whenever I'm on the floor changing a diaper or just going to sit down I get tackled by Trevor. He loves the outdoors, climbing, running (most of the time away from me) and like most boys, eating. He is also completely fearless... he continues to scare Chris and I with his daring personality. His vocabulary is improving and he is speaking in short sentences! Oh yes and he loves trains. I mean LOVES! For his party tomorrow it will be all trains.

What a blessing Trevor is to me and our family. I can't imagine life without active trev-man around. He keeps me on my toes. I am eager to see what kind of man he will turn into. I don't think we are ever going to need to motivate Trevor for life. He is passionate and determined. Above all it is my deepest desire that Trevor comes to know the Lord and have an intimate relationship with his Savior. Chris and I pray for his soul daily!

Here are some of my favorites of Trevor from the year.

Trevor driving a car
Trevor in Carlsbad CA last July
One of his favorite things to say is "Oh No" He clasps his hands to his face as he says it
Did I forget to mention that he also likes to make messes and get into trouble when I'm not watching. Here's this weeks latest... I went to get Rylee from her room and he pushed a chair over to the counter and dumped out 500+ small shapes that I was using for Taylor's preschool. When I came back he was making an "angel" with his body and eating the shapes!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines friends and family! Let the fun begin. Valentine prep began yesterday. Taylor and I made valentine heart shaped Rice Krispy's for her friends and Nana came over and helped her make little cards. This morning we woke up and had a nice peaceful breakfast all together. What a blessing that was! We ate eggs and heart shaped blueberry pancakes. A tradition that began a few years back. I think this day helps to reinforce to our children that as Christians we live to love and serve others. Over breakfast we talked about how we can only love because God first loved us by sending his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins!

After breakfast Chris brought out his computer, I assumed he was going to start checking his e-mails but instead he pulled up this blog post for me to read:
Happy Valentines Day Tara

Thank you honey for the meaningful letter! I treasure them & you and look forward to our date tonight!

“If every two were one then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If every wife were happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if ye can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is sure that rivers cannot quench,
Nor aught but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.”
poem by Anne Bradstreet

Have fun treasuring the loved ones in your life today! Pictures from the day to come.

How Far Taylor has come

We got a progress report from Taylor's preschool teacher last week. I and she was amazed by how far she has come. Last October she knew every letter except "G". Now she not only knows every letter but every sound and is reading four to five letter words on her own. In October she could count to 13 skipped 14 and then continued on to 17. Now she can count to 30 and up to fifty if I prompt her at every number change. i.e. 40, then 50. The report continued on about what a joy she is in class and how much Taylor loves to learn. It was exciting to see her growth. I am begining a phonics based reading program with Taylor this week called Sing, Spell, Read and Write. I'm eager to see how this is going to increase her ability to read!

Not So Funny, Funny Moment

Sunday mornings are always adventurous. Chris, being a pastor, is usually up and out early. So I have learned how to get myself and three kids out and ready by 9:30. Usually it means I'm up and ready before the kids awake at 6:30. I've even learned that packing the diaper bags and having their clothes laid out the night before helps the process a lot. However, even when I do all of this some challenges can still present themselves. Take yesterday for example. Taylor and Trevor were having a few too many squabbles and it was preventing me from getting Rylee dressed. So I put Taylor in her room and Trevor in his for a few moments of peace. Ten minutes later I hear Trevor banging on the door. I open the door to find poop all over his hands, body and yes the door and surrounding wall! It was a very not so funny, funny moment.

Perhaps even funnier was Chris' response.... I walk into the service and up to the front to sit next to Chris. Worship had already begun. He leans over and whispers hello in my ear and asks how the morning went. I say pretty good but Trevor got into his poop and smeared it on his door and wall. Chris whipsers back "oh man, I'm sorry" and asks "You did clean it up before you came right?"

In telling this story to a few of my friends I am aware of God's grace in how much worse it could've been!

Ready For Kids Test

My friend sent me this forward today and I thought it was hilarous! I can relate to the Grocery store test and the last one is a riot!


Are you considering having children? To determine whether you are truly prepared for the experience, we suggest you take this set of simple tests...

MESS TEST:

Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now rub your hands in the wet flower bed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

TOY TEST:

Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream (this could wake a child at night).

GROCERY STORE TEST:

Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.

DRESSING TEST:

Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all arms stay inside.

FEEDING TEST:

Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.

NIGHT TEST:

Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8 to 12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8:00 PM begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 PM. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00 PM. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 AM. Set alarm for 5:00 AM. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for five years. Look cheerful.

PHYSICAL TEST (WOMEN)

Obtain a large beanbag chair and attach it to the front of your clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10% of the beans.

PHYSICAL TEST (MEN):

Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.

FINAL ASSIGNMENT:

Find a couple who already have a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.

There's always next year...

We had a lot of fun at my parents house watching the game last night. It's not often that your husband's favorite team makes it into the superbowl. In this case it's been since he was nine. So I wanted to make sure it was memorable. Thankfully the kids already had their bears attire from October. So we had the cheerleader and the quaterback. I made a little onsie for Rylee that said "My 1st superbowl Go Bears!" and bought myself a bears shirt. I even ordered Chris a matching Urlacher jeresey to go with Trevor's but unfortunately Ebay didn't get it here in time.





Taylor and I made this cake to eat at halftime. I found the idea on a couple of different websites and kind of just morphed them together.




It was an amazing first quarter... But unfortunately it went downhill from there. You'll hear us say things like " At least they got there", "What an amazing season", "Manning deserves a ring" and we even hope, "They'll be back again next year". But as the game ended this is how we really felt:

Train God

If you want to get into Trevor's world you need to speak train. The other day I was teaching Trevor about God and I said Trevor who made you? No Answer. I tell him, "God made you Trevor". To which he replied "babble,babble,TRAIN". Yes Trevor God made Trains. He repeats what I said " God made trains". Great Trevor so who made Trains? He replies " Train God!"

Out of Town Blues

Sorry I haven't completely disappeared... Chris just returned from a three day trip. I find when he's gone it's near impossible to find time to blog. But that's not the only reason I don't blog. You won't find me blogging about my husband leaving town here. It could be because I'm paranoid. There is no way I'm annoucing to the crazy internet people out there that my husband is out of town. So there is that and also I just don't do well being alone. And until I convince Chris of our need for a really big black dog I don't think I'll ever like it. I can quote scriptures all night long and still in the end, without the help of tylenol PM, I just can't sleep. I took the easy way out for most of Chris' travel. Packed my bags and headed off to daddy and mommy's house. Even with two kids! But that's a little harder now with three so I have had to face the past couple ones alone. A couple of months ago when Chris left town for five nights, the last night went something like this:

I had the Pastor's wives over for dinner and dessert. We hung out late into the night and somehow the topic of one of our friends who got robbed while her husband was out of town came up. Seriously. Now these wives are more Godly and more expereinced than I am. None of them struggle at night with their husbands being out of town. They can even sleep without Tylenol PM. I informed these more Godly than I am women that this conversation wasn't serving me and they all had to stay the night but they continued on and eventually left me. Alone. With my thoughts. I called Chris to say goodnight and confessed to him that I battling fear. He assured me, prayed for me and ended with something about what are the odds really honey? I hung up full of faith, taking my tylenol pm of course, and went to do my nightly check of all the doors and windows before I turned in. I went to the front door, touched the door and everything went pitch black. My house, all the other houses around me, every street light outside went black. Ok so it was only for like five seconds dad (it happened to them too) but it was enough to make my heart drop and I knew that there was NO WAY I was going to be sleeping alone tonight. So I go the phone to call my dad of course, and the line is dead. Completely dead. I start to think great, that's it, "they" cut my phone line and will be in any minute and my husband's famous last words will be "What are the odds honey". Well genius mode kicked in and I checked my computer and thankfully we had a connection there. So I looked at Instant Message to see if anyone we knew was on. Chris' twin brother in Washington was on and I sent him a message saying " Call Chris now please and tell him to call my parents and tell them to come over!!" HAHA, it worked! My dad and mom were to the rescue again and my wonderful mom brought her pillow and stayed the night! I've never been so thankful to have my husband home.

Now thankfully nothing that traumatic happened this time and after five nights alone two feels like a walk in the park. I did however resort to waking up my almost five year old and bringing her into our bed at 10:00 at night. It worked. Taylor, her doll named Taylor and I all slept great. She woke up the next morning and said

" Mommy I woke up in your bed".

" Yes honey mommy came and got you last night."

She replies " Hey that's just like when you were little and you used to sneak into Uncle Ryan's room and wake him up so he'd come sleep in your room too"

wondering how she remembers this small detail that once came up in a conversation... " Yes Taylor. Thank you showing me that nothing has changed since I was six"