22 Weeks!

Pictures from 22 weeks. Kaity took these this afternoon in the front yard. We're loving the autumn weather!!

As Time Goes By ...

Back in August at some point, Jeff's parents told him that as his dad's health has suffered over the last year or so they've grown concerned about the future. They have three sons, but with one in the military and the other two close yet too far away, they felt compelled to talk with Jeff about what to do as time goes by. Ken will be 68 in December, and while his health is good for now, he's already had various issues just this year. He has been diagnosed with diabetes, he had a stroke in one of his eyes which caused a loss of vision in that eye, and his arthritis has worsened considerably, impairing movement.

All this to say that ... Ken and Cheryl have asked us to move in with them. The situation isn't dire, but we don't really want to wait until there's an emergency to try to plan for it. And honestly, there are times when you don't have to take days and weeks to pray over something ... sometimes the Holy Spirit just whispers to you what needs to be done. This is one of those times. Since making the decision to move, we've received confirmation many times over that we're on the path God has marked for us. It certainly won't be easy, but the right thing rarely is.

We'll enlarge Ken and Cheryl's existing home with a suite for them -- hopefully soon! Until then, we'll just be cozy. Really cozy. Our house is up for sale. Jeff will keep the same job, commuting back and forth. The move will put us about 45 minutes away from where we are now.

We'll be leaving the home we've made at Maysville Baptist Church. Which has been pretty much our only reason for staying in Jackson County to begin with! That's the toughest part of it for us. We told our "College People" about the move a couple of weeks ago. One ray of sunshine in leaving is that we absolutely love the couple that's taking over "our" Sunday School class. They will be wonderful for the college ministry and we're incredibly excited to see how God will use them.

I know this has been a long post, but this was really the best way to let everyone at large know about our plans. Obviously, it's kind of a long story to tell over the phone ad infinitum. Oh, time frame -- we hope to be completely moved in by the first weekend of November. Needless to say, I've been a busy, buzzy bee lately! Phew.

First Field Trip of the Year!

One of the moms in our group is a nurse at Athens Regional Medical Center, so she set up a field trip for us to visit the Emergency Department. The children were split into age groups, which meant Kaity and Joe were separated. I went with Joe, so the pictures are all of him (except the last one.) It was a good trip, and we were done in time to make it home for lunch -- making it totally free!

The paramedics showed us the ambulance ...




Joe reacting to the sound of the siren ...

Getting his vital signs recorded ... Weight 19.5 kg (43 lbs); Blood Pressure 122/63; Pulse 101; Oxygen Saturation 97%

My lone picture of Kaity. Her stats were ... Weight 25.5 kg (56 lbs); Blood Pressure 122/74 (mine was lower!); Pulse 94; Oxygen Saturation 99%

Oh, That Joe!

#1 -- Joe and Kaity were playing Skip-Bo, and Kaity was being ... let's say, over-instructive. Joe responded to that by saying politely, "I have my own plans."

#2 -- Joe and Kaity were doing crafts at the kitchen table and Kaity was being ... too helpful. (Notice a pattern here?) Joe let her know he didn't want her help by very clearly and calmly stating, "No buts! You say, 'Yes, sir', and that's all."

#3 -- No Kaity this time, just Mommy. I was half-asleep in the bed when Joe wandered in. He looked at me for a moment, and said, "I knew you were going to have a girl when you started getting fat." Then he made a break for it. (He'll never be a politician with honesty like that!)

Recipe Contest

If you know me at all, you probably know that I love the Taste of Home "family" of magazines. They publish Taste of Home and Simple & Delicious, among others. I've been a subscriber to one or more of the magazines for a good 10 years. Well, a few months ago, their website had a couple of contests available for entry and I decided to go for it. I got an e-mail Monday from an associate editor saying that I had won third place in one of the contests!

"Congratulations! You came in 3rd in our "Easy, Healthy Suppers" Contest! My name is J--- M------ and I'm an editor here at Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking, and I want to congratulate you on taking third place! Your recipe was Thai Chicken Pasta. Your winnings include a check for $200, and we'd like to feature you and your recipe in the December 2009 issue of Healthy Cooking. (You'll receive a free copy of this issue, too.)"

Yay! He asked me to send a picture (Jeff told me immediately which one that would be) and some background information about the recipe. If you would like a copy of the magazine (that's you, Mom) you can buy it pretty much anywhere magazines are sold, starting in mid-November. Or naturally, you can go on their website and subscribe!

Here's an approximation of the recipe that will be published:

Thai Chicken Pasta

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 green onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, diced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup chicken broth (or water)
½ cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

In a small saucepan, saute onion, garlic and ginger in oil. Add remaining ingredients, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium-low heat until well combined and heated through.

1 cup rotisserie chicken, shredded
8 oz whole wheat vermicelli or angel hair pasta

Optional toppings:
Chopped cilantro
Shredded carrots
Coarsely chopped dry roasted peanuts

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. Toss with sauce and chicken. Add toppings to your taste.

This picture is an old one, and it's not completely accurate (note the almonds and the regular pasta)but it was all I had!

The Kids Were Right!

I Need A Fezzik!

Okay, so you have to know about the movie The Princess Bride. One of the characters is Fezzik, played by Andre the Giant. I could really use him around the house now and then throughout the day.

Mommy: Joe, I need you to put your dishes away, please.
Joe: (clutching his stomach) Oh, but my tummy hurts!
Mommy: Fezzik, tear his arms off.
Joe: Oh, you mean these dishes! Yes, ma'am!

Mommy: Kait, get out your handwriting and a pencil.
Mommy: Kaitlyn. Focus on your handwriting.
Mommy: Kaity, you need to finish up with your handwriting now.
Mommy: Fezzik, please?
Fezzik: EVERYBODY MOVE!!
Kaity: (Assignment completed, on the shelf, and getting out her Reader.)

Mommy: Joe, go put your socks and shoes on.
(Ten minutes later, no shoes.)
Mommy: Joseph! What did I tell you to do?
Joe: *Blank Stare*
Mommy: Fezzik, jog his memory.

*sigh* I could really use a Fezzik.


They're not doing school here, just coloring. But it was a sweet, quiet moment.


I took this picture when Jeff was off from work on Monday. We did school despite the holiday so that Daddy could see what our days are like.

Joe's First Soccer Practice

He did such a great job! Their team is called The Fury, and it's hilarious watching them. Honestly, though, for never having experienced sports before, Joe did really well. He actually kicked the ball and kept up with chasing after it. The coach was an encourager, and made sure each kid had a turn and a chance to feel good about themselves.

Four Months!

I'm a little late, since I'll technically be 18 weeks tomorrow, but I finally had Kaity take my picture this morning.



Kaity started ballet yesterday, and Joe will start soccer next Tuesday! This will be his first foray into an organized sport. In fact, it'll be our family's first experience with it since Jeff took soccer in, I don't know, 1986. We're not exactly sports kind of people. I am really hoping Joe and Kaity and #3 will show more of an aptitude for musical instruments rather than bats and balls. Jeff and I would MUCH rather be at a symphony concert than a baseball game! We'll see ...