24 week baby bump

Okay, so several friends and family have asked to see. So here it is in all it's glory. Baby girl has grown a lot since the last time I posted pictures. I took the first few pictures and wasn't happy with the lighting in the bathroom, so I recruited Bill to take the rest because our bedroom has the best light. :)

I am only putting this one in (not because I look great) because it's a great tribute to the fact that even after almost 10 years of marriage Bill can still make me laugh! :)

Happy birthday baby

Our baby had a birthday on the 21st. It's hard to believe that she is 2!! How can that be possible? I still remember the day she was born so clearly.

Things Claire is doing right now:
She has developed quite the vocabulary and says pretty much everything
She can't pronounce "c" or "k" so replaces all of them with a "t"
She loves to play outside and run
She loves babies
She loves to color
Her favorite food are oranges
She wants do do everything on her own
Showing interest in going potty
Has to have her favorite book (she calls it "Sunshine baby") read to her at naptime and bedtime
She also sleeps with that favorite book
She still sucks her thumb at naptime and bedtime
She still sleeps with her favorite blankie
We can never keep socks and shoes on her
She loves to do anything her older siblings are doing
She thinks she is a big kid too
She is getting a little attitude and will put her hands on her hips
She cries easily especially if someone else is crying
She still loves to snuggle
She can count to 8
She loves to sing

I'm sure there is more but that's what comes to mind right now.

The other day when I dropped her off at her little mini's class her teacher said to me, "we hid her blankie in her cubbie this morning and it seemed to help. She acted less babyish." I wanted to respond, "She acted less babyish? But she is my baby." Instead, I asked her teacher if it would be best if we didn't bring it with her in the mornings. She thought it would be good for Claire to leave it home. Sigh! I'm just not ready for her to grow up...appearently. One more step away from babyhood. I know this is a good thing these are milestones, but in a way it makes me sad. So the blankie stays home and Claire does fine without it. :)

Wow 2 years old!

Claire, you have filled our lives with so much joy. You were an unexpected gift that we will always praise God for. God has given you a tender little heart. We are so excited to see what He has in store for you. I pray that you will come to know and love Jesus as your Savior. I know He will use the gifts He has give you in a mighty way.

Happy birthday sweet girl! We love you!

Chicken pot pie

This is a very simple recipe that is a big hit in our home. In fact I am going to have to start making two pies now to feed us because one just isn't enough anymore.

2 chicken breast cut up and cooked
1 can cream of chicken soup.
2-4 T. milk
2-3 cups vegetables that have been steamed just a little (I used peas, carrots and broccoli because that's what I had)
1 t. salt
optional ingredients:cut up cooked potatoes, 1/2 cup cheese

Mix all ingredients together and place in a prepared pastry crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Home

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place,
will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face*

And He called her home, safely to His arms on February 13, 2010. She is free from the pain and suffering of this world. Her body has been made whole again. Our sorrows can be turned to joy because of this.

Mom, you were greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

*words from Jeremy camp's "there will be a day"

Granola Recipe

I have decided I want to start sharing more of my favorite recipes. I love trying new things and I thought I might share the love. :)

I have tired a lot of different granola recipes but I think this is by far the best one I've made. I have to give credit to Andrea. I found the recipe on her blog.

Mix together in a large bowl
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I always use pecans but you can use whatever you like)
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

In a medium size bowl, mix until smooth:
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour the wet ingredients onto the dry and mix very thoroughly. Spread onto a big cookie sheet.

Bake at 315 degrees in increments of 10 minutes. Check every 10 minutes but Do NOT stir. If you make a double batch, switch your top and bottom baking sheets after each 10 minutes.

Bake until golden. Mine usually takes around 30 minutes (sometimes a little less). Let cool and then turn onto a sheet(s) of wax paper.

Enjoy!

The pain in beauty

When I went back east to visit with my family we decided to do some fun things. Since it was such a heavy thing that we were dealing with with our mom, we had to do something to lighten the situation. When we weren't with mom we spent time playing Wii games, talking and shopping. The last day I was there (Monday) we decided last minute to take the girls to the mall to get their ears pierced. Gavyn (my sister Allie's daughter) is only a few months younger then Claire.

The girls were both happy until the moment of truth.

The look of terror.

The look of sheer pain.

Claire admiring herself and her new "pretties".

Uncle Matt and Aunt Dana treated the girls to ice cream.

Ice cream makes everything better! :)

In the end it was worth it. And they both smiled again. It was a weekend worth remembering! :)

Until we meet again

I've been thinking a lot about life and death and what really matters...

The call I've been expecting came. My sister on the other line, "Elizabeth, I think it's time you come. She doesn't have much time left." I quickly got online and booked a ticket for a few days later. My mom who has had serious health issues for a long time is nearing the end of her time here on earth. Even though it's been a long process and a long time leading to this point, still nothing prepares your heart for that message. Nothing prepares your heart for having to say goodbye to one you love.

I flew out east last weekend (Jan. 29-Feb. 1) and took Claire with me. My mom has not even meet Claire yet.
My sister did her best to tell me how Mom would look and how things would be. I couldn't help but have knots in my stomach as I walked down the hall of the nursing home to see Mom. Not knowing how my heart would feel. Strangely, as I walked into the room all I felt was peace. A surreal peace. I know it came from God, otherwise I would have been a mess.

When I looked at Mom all I saw was the good things about her. The Lord reminded me of happier days. When it comes down to it, the hurts and misunderstandings from the past just don't matter. Not that they have in a long time. But in the face of eternity...most things just don't matter any more. I hear my mom's sweet voice and her contagious laugh and her love for reading, which led us on many adventures in my childhood. You can't see it on the outside but she is still there...the same woman who gave me life. I stood before a woman who was broken and sick but yet is standing on the brink of an eternal healing. My heart breaks but yet we know that there is something better in what is to come.

I saw my sister who has selflessly cared for my mother the past 2 years. Her love is amazing and inspires me to be a better person. I saw my brother who has become a strong godly leader and I am humbled. I learned many things about myself and the kind of woman God wants me to be. Good things come from ashes. The beauty of what really matters in the face of tragedy. I know I will be forever changed by this.

I am so thankful for the time I could spend with her and my sister and brother. Mom wasn't always awake when we were with her, but it was good to just be in her presence. She loved Claire and was so thrilled to see her. Claire brought much joy to my mother and in turn brought joy to me.

The tears of grief and sadness did not overwhelm until I realized that my goodbye would be my last. I wept when Bill picked me up at the airport. Still full of peace that God is in control, but heartbroken non the less. How do you say goodbye to one you love? It is impossible. So I won't. This life is just a moment. We are only passing through. Soon we shall meet again in glory. No more tears no more pain...God be praised!

I love you mom!

Until we meet again in His presence...

*Just want to say, thanks for those who have been praying for us. We have felt your prayers. This has been an extremely rough road, but God is good. They told us on Thursday that Mom had less then 24 hours left. Amazingly she is still with us. We don't know how much time she has here but we do know it is not long. It could just be a few more weeks, could even be a few months (although that looks doubtful). Our prayer is just for her comfort as she has been in so much pain, and also that the Lord would give her peace.