Our New Season: Parenthood

I’ve been anticipating writing these words almost for my entire life. I knew at one point or another, these words would probably need to come, this season would need to be lived. I don’t think I ever knew quite what I would be getting myself into and I’ve only seen a little glimpse of what all that entails. 

I am going to be mother. We are going to be parents. 

I’ve been fairly consumed by this notion for a few years but knew that it just wasn’t time yet. Then, we decided to take some risks and finally start trying to have kids. Within a few months I had 3 positive pregnancy tests and a groggy husband that I woke up early one morning on a Friday to tell the good news. I was freaked out. I think I am still freaked out. But, it’s a good freaked out. 

Everything changed that day. 

Since the day I took those tests, I knew everything would be different. It’s almost felt like an out of body experience these past few weeks. I have finally gotten really sick. I can’t believe how little energy I have and I have to come to terms with that every day and  every hour I am awake. I have no desire to eat certain foods I once loved. My cravings have consisted of ramen noodles, peanut butter and waffles, orange juice, and honey nut cheerios. Not exactly the nutritious, veggie and fruit eating pregnant lady I hoped to be. I want to go to bed at 8pm every night and take a nap every day (if only work life would allow that.) 

I am growing a human and this is probably the craziest and hardest thing I’ve ever embarked upon. 

With the arrival of the good news and new season upon our lives, I decided to start blogging again. I make no promises to the consistency  of that claim, especially when my energy levels are horrible at the moment, but a return to this world was necessary. I may bore you with my current cravings and rants about how my jeans won’t button anymore, but I don’t care. This is far more for me and my husband to remember this season of our lives than really anything else. 

Here’s to the newest, craziest, most unknown season of our lives. It’s only going to get crazier. 

A Look Back: 2012

I like looking back at where we have been. I think it helps us figure out where it is we are going. 2012 was an interesting year for me. Many things came and went. My work life was probably the most challenging it has ever been. We played as much music as time would allow. So many things have grown in my heart for this new year. 

A look back....

I ate vegan/vegetarian for a month. Looking back, I remember how crazy that felt. I think a meatless day here and there is good for me, but beyond that, I am happy with Weight Watchers as of right now. (Mexico is only about 100 days away!) 

We shared some amazing meals with some amazing people. 

We drove many miles to visit this store. 

We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. 

We built a front porch and gave our yard some much needed loving. 

I traveled to California to play music with The Piggies. 

I swiftly got back on a plane to visit Longview: the town that once held my heart. 

We tried to play as much music as possible. I also started to write and finish songs again. 

I could go on and on, really. 2012 was a good year. 2013 will be even better, of that I am sure. I have many thing stirring within me this evening regarding what is to come. 

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Christmas 2012

I have been silent for over a month. December was busy. My grandfather was in and out of the hospital for weeks. Life got away from all of us. But, in the end, we got to spend it all together as a family and for that I am so thankful. 

Christmas Eve was spent at Ryan's parents house. We began our evening doing music for our church service at Timberline Old Town. Once all of our equipment was packed up, we headed to his parent's house for chili and cinnamon rolls from Silver Grill. Holy cow. Those things were as big as my face and I'm not complaining one bit about that. 

On Christmas Day, we awoke to more snow on the ground. It began snowing the night before. It was definitely a White Christmas this year. 

 Our next stop was the hospital to visit my grandfather. He has been in and out of the hospital for a while now and wasn't able to spend Christmas at home. So, we went to him. Ryan even played a song he wrote for Christmas in the hospital for my grandfather. 

Next stop...my parent's house. We ate snacks and opened gifts. It was very relaxing and wonderful. 

I'm quite obsessed with my new boots. 

 Then we were off to my Aunt and Uncles house for some of the best prime rib ever. I ate way too much this past month. 

A few days later, we went to my Grandparent's home to spend Christmas with them. My grandpa is finally home. It was so good to spend that time together with them and my family. 

I can't believe I type this as the end of 2012 is only a few hours away. This year has been a whirlwind of events and I am very thankful for all of it. 

Chicken Taco Chili

I'm a big fan of crock-pots. A big, big fan. I've made this chili so many times in the past few weeks, I could probably make it in my sleep. I usually toss all of the ingredients in a crock-pot on Sunday when I'm running all over cleaning the house. Once my house is sparkling and clean, I scoop up a bowl of this goodness and relish in my clean house before anyone else comes home. 

I've been asked by a bunch of women I work with for this recipe, so here you go! Now when I smell up the work kitchen with this deliciousness, you'll know how to make it. It's so, so, so easy. Yet again, this is adapted from a Weight Watchers recipe. 5 points per serving, which is about a cup or so. 

Ingredients: 

1 can No Salt Added Black Beans

1 can No Salt Added Kidney Beans

1 can Rotel (tomatoes/green chilies) 

1 can tomato sauce (the smaller can) 

1 packet of taco seasoning (try to find one that isn't packed with sodium.) 

1 bag of frozen corn

A few frozen chicken breasts (I use the smaller tenderloins) 

A few dashes of chili powder

A few dashes of Cumin 

Place beans, corn, tomato sauce, and rotel in the crock-pot. Stir in the packet of taco seasoning. Add chili powder and cumin. Stir, stir, stir. 

Place as many frozen chicken breasts that can fit on the top of the chili. Don't stir it. Put the lid on and cook on high for about 6 hours or so. You want the chicken completely cooked. 

Once the chicken is completely cooked, remove the chicken pieces from the crock-pot. 

Shred the chicken. Once that's done, dump the chicken back in the crock-pot. Stir the chicken thoroughly into the chili. Let it simmer for a while longer. 

Serve and enjoy! We usually put a little bit of cheese on top and dip corn chips in the chili. 

Have I mentioned how much I adore my little crock-pot?