BrocoLLI!

For those of you unwilling (or if the mere thought induces a gag reflex) to try some brocolli, have I got the recipe for you! Now I myself am not an avid green-crown-gas-inducing vegetable eater, but I gotta tell you, this one takes the cake. Not only is it good but I could have eaten the entire pound of it all by myself!

PARMESEAN BROCOLLI

1 16 oz bag frozen brocolli crowns (I'm not a fan of the stems)
1/2 stick butter (I don't do that Dehydrogenated soy"What did you say?" stuff)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesean cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Cook the brocolli as directed. Mix the bread crumbs, cheese and garlic. Melt the butter, pour onto the brocolli. Sprinkle the crumb mix on, stir and rewarm just a bit.

YUUMMMM FREAKIN YUMMY!! I should of doubled the recipe :)

Welcome back!

Never thought my days would be so chock full of "fun and excitement" that I would lose the time to journal my life's journey. I find myself either doing laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, running errands, playing "driver" to Ian (who should have his license come December), bathing, reading, helping with homework, or just plain passed-out by 9pm. The life of a busy mom, right?! Oh, and I LOVE every last minute of it! How blessed I am to have 4 beautiful children and to be home with them at least 5 out of 7 days. Never did I imagine I would have the opportunity to be the mom I dreamed of :) Now don't get me wrong, it's not all fun and games. I have no clue how either of my grandmother's were able to maintain such order with 5 kids each! And let's remember, only one parent worked and they only had 1 car. Although if only Josh had the car I would probably be less busy since I wouldn't be able to drive anyone anywhere :) Oh...how sad Ian would be!

Ashlynn is growing by leaps and bounds weighing in at 16 lbs by 6 months! She is a hearty eater, mainly still just breast milk but I have started some fruit and veggies occasionally at meal time. She and I are taking a plane ride to NY in a few weeks to visit my family and celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday.

Abby started kindergarten and is the apple of our eye! She is doing fantastic and will be recognized as Character Kid of the Month for her class on Friday!! She is looking forward to going to the Celina pumpkin farm as a field trip :) She is also taking the CogAT test (for gifted and talented) next month.

Keara...well, she has shown me that without Abby's influence, she is one smart cookie and a well behaved little girl. A big helper to me during the day and loves to read and color. Of course, in the dirt or on a bike is really where she wants to spend all her time.

Ian is fairing well, struggling in a couple of his AP classes, but he is putting forth all of his effort. He's playing Running Back and OLB for the Varsity Football. Soccer will be next, starts up in January. Yea...34 degree games.

All in all, we are blessed. Life always comes with struggles, but I keep my eye on the prize and remember that my Heavenly Father will take care of my needs. The rest is just fluff.

Praise Him in all we do, give to those even less fortunate than we are. JOY. Jesus Others Yourself.

Update! Update!!

Holy cow!!! So much has happened since my last post :) We were blessed early with our 3rd daughter (4th child)...Ashlynn Sterling made her debut on March 29, 2010 at 2:59 pm, a Monday. She is the only pregnancy where my water broke and that I went into labor early with. It was a nice way to end the childbearing years! My dad and stepmom were present this time (the only time they have been in Tx for any births!) as my brother had gotten married the week before on a cruise that the rest of the family attended.

My labor and delivery was by far, the best!! I had full faith in my midwife even when she found umbilical cord next to her head and she was not fully engaged. I was transported by Ambulance to the hospital with the slight fear that if my water fully broke, the cord could potentially come out first cutting off all blood supply to the baby. My midwife ruptured the rest of the amniotic sack at the hospital with the OR suite ready in case I needed a C-section, which I didn't. Once she did that and brought her head down into position I was up and walking, laboring naturally. I delivered without any problems, no drugs and it was the best!! I am so grateful to have had AC there to deliver her as we formed a wonderful bond during my pregnancy care :) Little Ashlynn was all of 6 lbs 8oz and 18.5 inches long. My smallest baby.

She is the best little baby. She only cries when she is hungry, sleeps well, nurses like a champ, and is loved by all her siblings!

Abigail is officially registered for Kindergarten!! She is so excited to go to a big school, but mommy is sad to be sending her off for 7 hours a day!! She is so used to playing outside many times a day that I wonder how she will do with only a 30 minute recess?? Why do we not allow our little ones to play and run anymore? She is reading better, doing simple addition and subtraction and loves to play house! She tells me she is going to be a nurse when she grows up and "work with you, mommy". How can I not love this little girl!!

Keara is my rough and play girl. She has decided to be a motorcycle and car racer when she grows up. She thinks Santa is bringing her a motorcycle for Christmas...how disappointed she will be!! But you have to admire her determination and willingness to do what she loves :) She is a good sister, but doesn't dote on Ashlynn. She will hold her for a few minutes, and then she is done. She loves to play with her trucks, color and watch Jungle Junction and NASCAR.

More on Ian to follow. For now, I have to get ready to entertain a good friend and her new baby girl!!

Blessings and Gratitude, many Thanks to my Heavenly Father for all I have....

Happy New Year

I have been without a computer now for a little over 2 months?  I'm actually getting used to it.  I use Ian's (with permission) when I have a need, or beg Josh to let me use his for a split second as he is selfish and doesn't want to share.  'Grow up' is what I say!! Honestly, we have far more needs in this life than a computer for each adult in the house.  Just look around your community, the world, and see how many people are doing without the basic needs of survival.  They aren't complaining about no having a computer, or a bed, or a coat are they?  We live in such a a sefish, over-indulgent, materialistic, over sexualized and sinful, Jesus lost society.  How have we allowed ourselves to get to this point?  What will it take for us as a world to open our eyes and realize that there is only one goal in this life...to have Christ.  To have that personal relationship that will guide us, protect us, and love us.  Then we will have His eyes to see the world in true color and clarity.  Look around people...there is life going on that does not center around you!!

I am grateful for my Christian friends.  Grateful to have people in my life that see beyond themselves, beyond the newest flatscreen, beyond the big house with a media room.  They keep me grounded, remind me to see through God like eyes at how our world really is and help me to find ways of making it a better place.  I love the fact that in my line of 'work' I can touch people.  That I can make a small difference.  That I can feel Jesus work through me because I only want to do His will, let the Holy Spirit work through me. 

26 weeks, 6 days along in the pregnancy.  I feel good :)  I do get sore, those ligaments that hold up my uterus have been overstretched one to many times!  I swell if I'm on my feet for more than 2 shifts in a row, but rest and levitation take care of it.  My blood pressure is perfect (less than 117), no major complications, baby girl is moving like a rock star and I pray that I pass my Glucose Tolerance Test next week!  Hard to believe that she will be here in about 14 weeks!  Maybe I should start dusting off the baby items?  Getting them out of the attic for washings might be a good start!

The family is good :)  Ian is into soccer season now, the girls are a mess and have bad cabin fever, and Josh is still able to get a round of golf in here and there.  I'm planning the garden for next year, prepping my soil as I will plant my seeds in March.  Hoping for a good lush crop!!  I need to do some canning :)  

My bff Donna and her family are back in the area!! Yea! I could not be happier :)  We may not get together ALL the time, but then again we both have 3 children and busy lives.  We respect that in each other.  It is such a relief to me that I have her to turn to, and in close proximity now.

As I always remind myself...I have a blessed life.  Our needs are met, we are healthy and happy.  I pray the Lord continues to work on Josh, turning his heart towards Him and helping him see the Light.

Always with Faith and Grace...

Tis the Season!

I sit here finally posting an update while Abby and Keara are watching the Muppets "Letters to Santa" show.  I remember watching them every week and it was the best show ever!!  They are mesmerized.  Ian is off at a friends house, Josh is out watching the Mav's with his bff Kevin.  So here I am, christmas lights glowing, candle burning and a quiet house.  Ahhh....so peaceful!

I am now 21 wks, 2days along in this pregnancy and all is going well.  I haven't posted it here, but we are expecting another girl!!  I am excited, and Josh has had some grieving to go through.  He is heartbroken to not be having a boy and I feel saddened for him but very grateful we are having a healthy baby (so far).  All the morning sickness is gone, the heartburn has gone into full gear and I am desperately watching my weight gain.  I have been very controlled since getting my thyroid under control, but am battling the initial 10 lbs I gained when from a health stand point, I don't need to gain anymore. Josh wants me to "eat for 2" and I have to keep reminding him that I am eating for quality, not quantity.  

I am so blessed.  To have my family, friends and Faith.  I love this season!  I promise to write more when my head is not hurting and I'm less tired :)