So Good

Everything went wonderfully well. Sophia was born on Monday at 8:47 am. She weighed 6 lbs, 5 oz--so tiny! We came home Wednesday afternoon and are doing lots of sleeping and eating.

Thanks for all the good wishes!

Birthday

I'm off to the hospital. My scheduled c-section is this morning.
So excited to meet my new baby girl.
I may not be posting for a while, we'll see.
But I will be back with details and maybe a photo or two.
Jen

A Mother

I had a hard mommy day yesterday. Home from school, my six-year-old daughter proved to be as challenging as ever. By bedtime I questioned God's wisdom in making me her mother. I obviously wasn't the right person for the job. Deep down, I know He knows what He is doing, but last night was one of those times that I just couldn't see it. I thought I was doing my best as a worn-out, 38 week pregnant, mother of three could do. But we both ended up in tears, she accusing me of "not even liking" her. All over some trivial little thing. Sigh.

So anyway, I found this post today over at High Desert Home that inspired me as a mother and a homemaker. Just what I needed.

Now, I need to read it a few more times, or maybe everyday.

Gratitude Journal

It's been way too long since I did this. I really need to focus on thankfulness more often. Right now, when I'm discouraged about certain things, this really helps me to focus on the goodness in my life.

I'm surrounded by blessings, big and small:

-hugs from my little man

-kicks from my little lady (eleven days until I hold her!)

-helpfulness and sweetness from my big girls

-hard work and sacrifice from my husband

-phone calls from far away mom, dad, and sis

-blue skies and golden leaves

-warm house

-food in the cupboards

-wonderful dishwasher and laundry machines!

and most of all:

-Faith in my Lord

Even though it seems there may be dark times ahead, I know my God is beside me, He is bigger than any man, and He will not forsake His children. I am thankful to be able to call on Him for courage and strength.

Fall Beauty

Sierra Nevada's, quaking aspens, a creek, and the last photo is one of our cottonwoods.

Well...

Hmmm...guess I haven't been posting much lately. Maybe because I've been busy around the house and haven't taken time to sit down to write much. I'm probably nesting.

THREE WEEKS UNTIL BABY!

I'm kinda excited for that. And I'm kinda anxious to get some things done around the house. I went through my linen closet and washed loads upon loads of sheets. And comforters. I went through more hand me down baby clothes (love them!) and washed, sorted, and stored those. I even set up the bassinet.

Do you think I'm nesting. Maybe. Just a little.

So...not much posting going on. Sorry.

I'll try to write something soon. In the meantime, here are some great blogs that I have discovered recently. (Yes, I have been exploring blogland, just not participating much.)

The Inspired Room

The Nesting Place

Check them out for good decorating ideas and witty commentary.

Soup Swap

Mmmm...I love soup; especially in the fall and winter months. Jessica over at Turkey Cookies is hosting a Soup Swap. Head over there for lots of great soup recipes.

Here is my contribution: Curried Cream of Chicken Soup. I found this recipe at In the Heart of My Home. I've changed it just a little to make it fit my own family.

Curried Cream of Chicken Soup

1 TBSP. butter
2 cups chopped sweet onion
2 carrots peeled and chopped
1 TBSP. curry powder

Cook the above ingredients over low heat until tender.
Add:

7 cups chicken stock
2 lbs peeled, diced butternut squash
3-4 chicken breasts, bone-in (you can use a whole cut up chicken if you want)
1/2 cup basmati rice (I haven't tried it with rice, yet)
salt and pepper to taste

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until chicken is done (25 minutes or so).
Cool chicken in stock. (I let it sit out a few minutes, too.)
Remove meat from bones and dice.
Remove fat from broth. (I usually remove the skin from the breast, so I don't have a lot of fat.)
Stain soup, reserve solids.
Puree solids in food processor or blender with some stock, in batches. This makes it so creamy and yummy.
Return puree to rest of stock. Add diced chicken.

Then add:

1 cup half & half
10 oz. frozen peas, defrosted

Simmer 15 minutes or until peas are done.

This is really good with pumpkin muffins!

Even my kids like this soup. It is definately a family favorite.